Mediation Information & Assessment Meeting

MIAM - A conversation worth having

Before issuing proceedings at family Court, it is a legal requirement (with some exemptions) to attend a statutory MIAM with a family mediator. The MIAM is a significant meeting which enables you to determine if there is a kinder and more cost-effective way of seeking a solution than Court.

What is a MIAM appointment?

The first meeting you have with a mediator is called a MIAM – short for Mediation Information & Assessment Meeting. This will be an online meeting which runs for between 45 and 60 minutes. During the Individual MIAM the mediator will assess suitability for mediation and carry out a risk assessment.

The MIAM is confidential and also enables you both to raise questions with the mediator that you may feel unsure about raising in front of the other person and for the mediator to assist you both in preparing for the mediation process. It provides you with an opportunity to find out how family mediation works and the mediator will help decide if mediation is suitable for you and your family.

Do I need to attend a MIAM?

Anyone wanting to make a court application involving family proceedings (with some exceptions) must attend a MIAM with a family mediator prior to an application being made to the court.

Once you have attended a MIAM we can either contact the other party you are in dispute with, sign-off a form to allow you to go to court, or you may just want some time to think about the next stages. That is fine too.

A MIAM costs £150 and this includes contacting the other party and providing a signed C100 (parenting) or Form A (financial) for application to court if required.

MIAM FAQs

Is a MIAM relationship counselling?

No, they are very different things. A MIAM will explain the mediation process and allow you to consider whether you wish to go to mediation. Many people think a MIAM is to make sure you wish to end the relationship, which is incorrect.

What if I don’t want to attend mediation?

Following the Miam If you decide you don’t want to attend mediation you simply explain to the mediator at the end of the MIAM why you don’t want to go and they will provide a MIAM certificate to allow you to file at court. The decision is yours. You do not have to convince the mediator either way. Although you may need to let the judge know why you did not want to attempt mediation when you get to court.

What should I prepare for my MIAM?

You may have some questions that you want to ask your mediator. It can be helpful to write these down before your meeting. It can help to take some time to think about what you want out of the mediation.You should also read our privacy policy which explains how we store and deal with your data. Other than that, you do not have to prepare anything and your mediator will guide you through the process and address any concerns you may have.