How to Prepare for Your MIAM

You Do Not Need to Worry About Your MIAM

If your MIAM is coming up and you are feeling a bit anxious about it, that is completely normal. Talking to a stranger about your family circumstances is not something most people do every day, and it can feel daunting even when you know it is the right step.

As your mediator, Abdul is independent and impartial. He is not there to judge you or your situation, and he understands that opening up about something personal to someone you have just met is not always easy. You do not need to prepare a formal statement or rehearse what to say. You just need to turn up and talk honestly about what is going on.

What Happens Before Your MIAM

Once your appointment is booked, we send you everything you need well in advance, so there are no surprises on the day. That includes:

• Your appointment details: the date and time you have booked.
• How to join: every MIAM at BookMIAM is held online, so you will be sent a secure video call link and simple instructions for joining it. There is no software to install.
• What to expect: a short guide explaining what a MIAM involves and how it can help.
• Help with the cost, if it applies: if your case involves arrangements for children, we will let you know whether the £500 Family Mediation Voucher Scheme could apply to you.

If anything in these guides is unclear, or you just want to check something before your appointment, get in touch and we will help.

Getting Ready on the Day

There is not much to do to prepare, but a few small things make the meeting itself go more smoothly:

1. Find somewhere private and quiet. Since your MIAM is confidential, a room where you will not be overheard or interrupted makes it easier to speak freely.
2. Check your device beforehand. A phone, tablet or computer with a working camera, microphone and internet connection is all you need.
3. If you are paying for your MIAM, sort payment in advance. You can see our current fees on the pricing page.
4. Think about what matters most to you, if it helps. Some people find it useful to jot down a few notes beforehand, so nothing gets forgotten in the moment. This is entirely optional.
5. If a relevant court order already exists, have it to hand. It is not essential, but it can be a useful reference if it comes up in conversation.
6. Wear whatever is comfortable. This is a conversation, not a formal hearing.
7. Try to relax. There is no test to pass and nothing you say is shared with anyone else without your agreement.

Meeting Your Mediator

Your MIAM is conducted by Abdul Wahid, an FMA trained, FMC registered family mediator. Being registered with the Family Mediation Council means Abdul is bound by their Code of Practice, which sets out how mediators are expected to work: independently, impartially, and in confidence.

The meeting is between you and your mediator only. Your ex-partner is never on the same call, and attends their own separate MIAM if they choose to.

What Your MIAM Will Cover

Your MIAM is your opportunity to talk through your circumstances with Abdul and understand whether mediation, or another process, is the right way forward for you. It usually lasts around 45 minutes to an hour, and costs £125 per person.

Everything discussed is confidential. Nothing is passed to the other party, and nothing is reported to the court beyond confirmation that you attended. For a fuller explanation of what happens during the meeting itself, see What Is a MIAM?

Related Guides

• What Is a MIAM?
• Online MIAM: Attend Your MIAM by Video Call
• MIAM Exemptions
• MIAM Certificate
• £500 Family Mediation Voucher Scheme
• Pricing

Ready to book your MIAM? Book a free 15-minute chat or choose an appointment time that suits you.