What Is a MIAM?

MIAM Explained

A MIAM stands for Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting. It is a short, confidential meeting with a trained family mediator, and it is a legal requirement before you can make most applications to family court in England and Wales. If you have been searching for a MIAM near me or family mediation near me, you can book a MIAM appointment online and attend from anywhere in the UK.

Whether you are applying for a child arrangement order (C100) or a financial order (Form A) after separation or divorce, the court expects you to have attended a MIAM first. This requirement was introduced under the Children and Families Act 2014 and is enforced through the Family Procedure Rules 2010.

The purpose of a MIAM is not to force you into mediation. It is an opportunity to:

• Understand your options: your mediator will explain how mediation works and whether it could help resolve your dispute without going to court.
• Learn about alternatives: including solicitor-led negotiation, collaborative law, and arbitration.
• Assess suitability: your mediator will check whether mediation is appropriate for your situation, particularly where there are concerns about domestic abuse or safeguarding.
• Get your certificate: if mediation is not suitable, or the other party refuses to take part, your mediator will sign the relevant section of your C100 or Form A so you can proceed to court.

A MIAM typically lasts 45 to 60 minutes. It takes place individually. You do not need to be in the same room (or on the same call) as the other party. All our MIAMs are conducted online via video call, so you can attend from home, from work, or from anywhere with an internet connection.

Do I Need a MIAM?

In most cases, yes. You need a MIAM before you can apply to family court for:

• Child Arrangements (C100): if you need a court order about where your child lives, who they spend time with, or decisions about their upbringing.
• Financial Orders (Form A): if you need the court to decide how finances are divided after divorce or dissolution, including property, pensions, savings, and spousal maintenance.

When You Might Be Exempt

There are situations where you do not need a MIAM. The main exemptions include:

• MIAM domestic abuse exemption: if you have evidence of domestic abuse (such as a police report, protective injunction, or referral from a domestic abuse support service), you are exempt from attending a MIAM.
• Child protection concerns: if a local authority is involved in protecting the child.
• Urgency: if there is a risk to the life, liberty, or physical safety of you or your child, or if a delay would cause a risk of significant harm.
• Previous MIAM: if you attended a MIAM in the last four months about the same dispute and the mediator confirmed the case was not suitable for mediation.
• The other party is in prison, or the applicant does not have sufficient contact details for the other party.
• Bankruptcy: for financial applications only.

If you are unsure whether you need a MIAM or whether an exemption applies, book a MIAM anyway. Your mediator will assess the situation and, if an exemption does apply, will sign the relevant section of your court form at no additional cost.

What Happens at a MIAM?

Before the Meeting

After you book, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to join the video call. There is nothing to prepare in advance, although it can be helpful to think about what outcome you are hoping for.

During the Meeting

The meeting is private and one-to-one. It is just you and the mediator. The other party is not present. Your mediator will:

• Ask you to explain your situation in your own words.
• Explain the mediation process and how it differs from going to court.
• Discuss whether mediation could be appropriate for your circumstances.
• Carry out a screening assessment, including checking for any domestic abuse or safeguarding concerns.
• Explain the costs involved and whether you might be eligible for legal aid or the £500 government voucher scheme.

The mediator will not take sides. They will not tell you what to do. The MIAM is not a therapy session and it is not a legal advice session. It is an information meeting designed to help you understand your options.

After the Meeting

After your MIAM, one of the following will happen:

1. You decide to try mediation: your mediator will contact the other party and invite them to attend their own MIAM. If both parties agree, mediation sessions will be arranged.
2. Mediation is not suitable: your mediator will sign the relevant section of your C100 or Form A, confirming that you have attended a MIAM and that mediation is not appropriate. You can then proceed with your court application.
3. The other party refuses: if the other party declines to attend a MIAM or engage in mediation, your mediator will sign your court form confirming this.

Your signed certificate is typically sent by email within 1 to 2 working days of your MIAM (or within 24 hours if you booked an urgent appointment).

How to Prepare for Your MIAM

You do not need to bring anything or prepare a formal statement. But a few simple things can help you get the most from your meeting:

Be open about your situation

Your mediator needs to understand what is going on in order to help you. Be honest about your concerns, even the difficult ones. Everything you say is confidential, and there is no judgement. If there are safeguarding issues or reasons you feel mediation may not be right, it is better to raise them early so your mediator can assess things properly.

Think about what matters most to you

Before the meeting, take a few minutes to think about what you want to resolve and what outcome would work for you. You do not need to have all the answers, but having a sense of your priorities helps your mediator guide the conversation in the right direction.

Write down any questions

It is easy to forget things when you are in the meeting, especially if you are feeling anxious. Jotting down a few questions beforehand means you will not leave wishing you had asked something. There are no wrong questions, and your mediator would rather you asked than left unsure.

Related Guides

• How Mediation Works – The full mediation process explained
• Child Arrangements – Mediation for custody, contact, and parenting
• Financial Mediation – Dividing finances after separation
• £500 Voucher Scheme – Check if you are eligible
• Pricing – MIAM and mediation fees

Ready to book your MIAM? Book a free 15-minute chat or go straight to booking your MIAM appointment.