What is a MIAM?

If you are facing a family dispute, whether it is about child arrangements, finances, or separation, you may be required to attend a MIAM before heading to court. But what exactly is a MIAM, and what should you expect from it?

What is a MIAM?

A MIAM is an initial, confidential, individual appointment with a trained, impartial family mediator. The purpose of a MIAM is to explore whether mediation might be a suitable way to resolve issues such as child arrangements or financial matters before involving the courts. MIAMs offer a gentler alternative to court.

All in, a MIAM helps with:

• Providing information about mediation and other non-court dispute resolution
• Allowing individuals to share concerns in a safe place
• Helping assess whether mediation is appropriate and constructive
• Leading to referrals for additional support

A MIAM is a confidential meeting with a qualified family mediator. It is designed to help you understand what mediation is, assess whether it is suitable for your situation, and explore alternatives to going to court. In most family law cases, attending a MIAM is a requirement before making a court application.

What happens in a MIAM?

During a MIAM, the mediator will explain what mediation is, how mediation works, and the potential benefits of mediation in comparison to court proceedings.

The mediator will also discuss your eligibility for Legal Aid and potentially the Government Voucher Scheme if they subscribe to it.

The mediator will explore your circumstances including the issues that are to be resolved, such as finances or child arrangements, and assess whether it is appropriate for mediation to go ahead.

What does MIAM mean?

MIAM stands for Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting. It is a legal step in family law cases in England and Wales that helps people decide whether mediation can be used to resolve their dispute instead of going to court.

How to prepare for a MIAM

MIAMs do not involve a formal preparation procedure. However, it helps to go in with some objectives. Before you attend a MIAM, it would help if you compiled some thoughts about your goals for the meeting, as well as any questions you may have about the process and its outcomes.

It also helps if you gather any necessary, relevant documentation that may be discussed throughout the proceedings. Think financial documents, child arrangements and the like. The organiser of the MIAM may also submit a questionnaire to all attendees to gather such information.

How long is a MIAM?

A MIAM typically lasts between 45 minutes to an hour and usually takes place either in person or via video link. The meeting could last longer if you have more questions about the process or your circumstances are more complex.

What happens after a MIAM?

The next steps after a MIAM are very dependent on the outcome of the meeting itself. If all the parties agree that mediation is possible and worthwhile, then the next step would be to arrange a mediation. This decision will need to be agreed upon by the mediator, however.

If this is not possible, then the mediator will provide all attendees with a list of options in order to seek resolution. After this, the outcomes will vary depending on the type of resolution.

How much does a MIAM cost?

The cost of a MIAM with us is £140 plus VAT (£168) and our MIAM Forms are £50 plus VAT (£60)

What is a MIAM Certificate?

A MIAM Certificate is an official form issued by the mediator after your MIAM. It confirmed that you have either:

• Attended a MIAM and mediation was not suitable
• The other party declined to attend
• Mediation was attempted but did not resolve the issue

You will need this certificate to submit certain family court applications, such as those involving child arrangements or financial disputes.

Book a MIAM, with Grant Stephens Family Law

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