More likely a magistrate and no they still favour Mum’s / resident parents massively. If he is asking for mediation he should pay for it. Also, speak to the mediators themselves.
Publicly funded mediation: http://find-legal-advice.justice.gov.uk
Support with any parenting problem: Family Lives 9am-9pm weekdays, 10am-3pm weekends FREE helpline 0808 800 2222 http://familylives.org.uk
Support with any parenting problem: Family Action 6pm – 10pm weekdays, 10am – 1pm weekends FREE helpline 0808 8020 2220 https://www.family-action.org.uk/what-we-do/children-families/parent-support/
They will consider what’s best for the children and from what you’ve said that is staying the way things are. Courts are only there to bang your heads together if you can’t come to a decision, which is why mediation should be the first step – but at his expense. Courts will then examine the case and encourage reasonable access – that won’t necessarily mean 50-50.