Do I Need a MIAM Before Going to Family Court?
At Annie Ives Family Mediation, we speak to many parents who are surprised to learn that they may need to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting, commonly known as a MIAM, before applying to the family court.
A MIAM is usually required before making certain private family law applications concerning children or finances, unless a valid exemption applies.
Despite this requirement, MIAMs are still widely misunderstood. Some people believe that attending a MIAM commits them to mediation, while others worry that they will have to sit in a room with their former partner.
Neither is true.
A MIAM is a private opportunity to understand your options, discuss any concerns and consider whether mediation or another way of resolving matters outside court could be suitable.
What is a MIAM?
A MIAM is a confidential meeting between you and an authorised family mediator. It usually takes place individually, without your former partner present, and can often be held online or in person.
During the meeting, the mediator will:
Listen to the circumstances surrounding your separation
Explain how family mediation works
Discuss other ways of resolving matters outside of going to court
Consider whether mediation would be safe and appropriate
Explain the possible next steps
You will not be pressured to begin mediation. The purpose of the meeting is to give you clear information and help you make an informed decision.
Why do some people avoid attending a MIAM?
MIAMs are confused with mediation
A MIAM and mediation are not the same thing.
The MIAM is an initial information and assessment meeting. Mediation only begins later if both people agree to take part and the mediator believes that it is suitable.
Attending a MIAM does not mean that you must mediate or meet directly with your former partner.
The exemption rules can be difficult to understand
There are circumstances in which someone may not need to attend a MIAM. These can include certain cases involving domestic abuse, urgency or other situations covered by the Family Procedure Rules.
However, the exemption must be relevant to the circumstances and may need to be supported by appropriate evidence.
The MIAM process is designed to protect people, not to prevent anyone from accessing the court when court intervention is genuinely needed.
The benefits are not always understood
For suitable families, mediation can provide a calmer and more constructive way of discussing arrangements for children, finances and future communication.
It can help people:
Reduce conflict
Keep children’s needs at the centre of discussions
Retain more control over decisions
Avoid some of the stress and uncertainty of court proceedings
Save time and potentially reduce costs
Mediation will not be appropriate for every family, but a MIAM gives you the chance to explore whether it could help in your particular circumstances.
Cost can feel like another barrier
Legal aid remains available for family mediation for people who qualify. Depending on eligibility, the cost of the MIAM and subsequent mediation sessions may be covered.
Some families dealing with arrangements involving children may also be eligible for a Family Mediation Voucher worth up to £500 towards the cost of mediation sessions. The voucher does not cover the cost of the MIAM itself.
Your mediator can explain what funding may be available and whether you could be eligible.
Why attending a MIAM can matter
A MIAM does not guarantee that mediation will be right for you, nor does it prevent you from applying to court when that is necessary.
What it does provide is a confidential space in which you can understand the available options before committing to a particular course of action.
When families do proceed to mediation, the results can be positive. Government analysis of the first 7,200 families using the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme found that 69% reached a full or partial agreement and did not need to proceed to court.
That can mean fewer contested hearings, less uncertainty and a more stable way forward for children and parents.
How Annie Ives Family Mediation can help
I aim to make the MIAM process straightforward, supportive and accessible.
I provide:
Confidential individual appointments
Online and in person MIAMs
Clear information about mediation and other options
Careful consideration of safety and suitability
Transparent information about fees
A calm and child focused approach
If you are unsure whether you need a MIAM, or you simply want to understand your options before taking the next step, Annie Ives Family Mediation is here to help.
Contact me to arrange a confidential MIAM or to ask a question about the family mediation process.