Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings (MIAMs) are individual, confidential meetings and typically last about an hour.

Going to a MIAM isn’t the same as going to a Joint Mediation Session. A MIAM will help you understand the options available to sort out the issues that need to be resolved, and to choose the best option for your individual circumstances.

What to expect at your MIAM

  • You will have an opportunity to tell the mediator about your own unique personal situation and concerns.
  • We will explain the Mediation Process to help you to decide whether you would like to move on to Joint Mediation Sessions (if the other party also agrees). 
  • We will also assess whether, in our professional view, the case is suitable for mediation.
  • We will talk about alternative routes and sources of assistance that may be available to you.

Why MIAMs matter

‘MIAMs – The Gateway to Mediation’

Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings (MIAMs) are the gateway to the Mediation Process. Both potential participants in the Mediation will need to have a MIAM before they can move on to Joint Mediation Sessions.

By promoting dialogue in a safe, neutral setting, the Family Mediation Process can lead to more amicable outcomes, which preserve relationships and protect the emotional wellbeing of your children.

‘MIAM Attendance and the Family Court’

From April 2024, if you would like to apply to the Family Court you will need to show the judge that you have attended a MIAM, unless the requirement does not apply (mainly connected to domestic abuse).  

By requiring applicants to attend a MIAM at the outset, the Court seeks to ensure that all alternatives to litigation have been explained and considered. This approach supports the principle that Court should be used a last resort, not the first step. The intention is that more family disputes will move away from the court arena and into alternative forums, such as Mediation, which are often more suitable settings for families to resolve issues. Reaching agreements together can allow people to move forward with their lives and minimise the impact on their children.