Professional invoice templates for civil and commercial mediators billing parties to disputes for mediation sessions and preparation.
A mediator invoice is issued by a civil, commercial, or family mediator to the parties in a dispute for facilitation of the mediation process. Mediators are neutral third parties who help disputing parties reach settlement without litigation, and their fees are typically shared equally between the parties unless otherwise agreed. In commercial and civil mediation, fees are commonly charged on a half-day or full-day basis for the mediation itself, with separate charges for pre-mediation preparation, reading bundles, drafting settlement agreements, and any follow-up communications. Rates vary significantly by the mediator's experience, accreditation body, and the complexity of the dispute. Family mediators operating under Legal Aid arrangements invoice differently, claiming from the Legal Aid Agency rather than the parties directly. Privately funded family mediation and all commercial mediation involves direct invoicing to the parties. Mediators accredited by the Civil Mediation Council (CMC), CEDR, ADR Group, or RICS (for construction and property disputes) will often reference their accreditation on invoices as it reinforces credibility and justifies premium rates.
| Service | Typical Rate | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Mediation full day (6 hours) | 1800 | day |
| Mediation half day (3 hours) | 950 | half-day |
| Preparation and bundle reading | 300 | hour |
| Overtime (per hour beyond booked session) | 300 | hour |
| Settlement agreement drafting | 300 | hour |
| Travel expenses | 0.45 | mile |
Commercial mediators typically invoice each party for their share of the fee, which is usually 50/50 unless the parties have agreed otherwise. Issue separate invoices to each party rather than a joint invoice to avoid complications with payment and confidentiality. Request a booking deposit (commonly one half-day fee) at the time of appointment to secure the date. Issue a final invoice after the mediation, crediting the deposit and adding any overrun time, preparation charges, and expenses. Clearly set out your cancellation policy on your invoice and engagement letter. Mediators commonly charge 100% of fees for cancellations within 7 days of the mediation and 50% for cancellations between 7 and 28 days. Slot loss is a real cost given that dispute resolution dates are often booked months in advance. For Legal Aid family mediation, invoicing goes directly to the Legal Aid Agency using their prescribed forms and rates. Private family mediation invoices parties directly using the same commercial approach described above.