Attending a MIAM does not commit you to mediation
Attending a MIAM does not commit you to mediation
This article is part of our MIAM & Court Process Guides, which explain how MIAMs relate to mediation and the family court process.
If you are asking “what is a MIAM?”, the term stands for Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting. A MIAM is a private meeting with a trained mediator. It is normally required in England and Wales before:
A MIAM is not a mediation session and does not involve the other person. It is often the first step in understanding what your options are and how to move forward.
MIAMs are used to help people understand their options before starting court proceedings or mediation.
They provide an opportunity to step back and consider whether issues can be resolved in a structured way without immediately going to court.
Family courts expect mediation to be considered where appropriate, as many disputes can be resolved outside court in a structured way. This is particularly relevant where:
Attending a MIAM allows these possibilities to be considered calmly and with professional guidance.
A MIAM is a one-to-one meeting between you and a mediator. During the meeting, the mediator will:
The meeting is confidential and focused on your circumstances.
Nothing is agreed at this stage.
After attending a MIAM, the mediator can provide a MIAM certificate where one is required.
In most cases, a MIAM is required before making a family court application, although certain exemptions apply.
After a MIAM, one of the following usually applies.
If both people wish to take part and the mediator agrees it appears appropriate, mediation sessions can be arranged.
If mediation is not appropriate, or does not go ahead, the mediator can complete the MIAM certificate required for court.
Attending a MIAM does not oblige you to continue with mediation.
It is standard practice for the mediator to notify the other person that a MIAM has taken place and invite them to arrange their own meeting.
This is done professionally and neutrally.
If you have concerns about this, these can be discussed during your MIAM.
Clearway Mediation does not provide MIAM or mediation services funded
by Legal Aid.
All MIAMs provided through the service are privately funded.
Fees include the provision of a signed MIAM certificate where required for court.
Understanding what a MIAM involves can help the process feel clearer and more
manageable. If you would like to understand how MIAMs relate to court applications or mediation, you may find these guides helpful:
If you would like to understand MIAMs as a service or arrange an appointment, you can also read: