Mediators registered with the Family Mediation Council • Confidential and impartial process • Online appointments across England and Wales
Attending a MIAM does not commit you to mediation
Mediators registered with the Family Mediation Council • Confidential and impartial process • Online appointments across England and Wales
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.
A MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting) is often the starting point both for:
In most cases, the family court expects people to attend a MIAM before issuing proceedings.
However, there are situations where attending a MIAM may not be appropriate or required. These are known as MIAM exemptions.
Exemptions are defined by the court and apply only in specific circumstances. If an exemption is incorrectly claimed, this can lead to delay or the application being returned
The most common MIAM exemptions include the following.
If you have already attended a MIAM in relation to the same dispute within the last four months, you may not need to attend another meeting.
Where local authority involvement or safeguarding concerns are present, mediation may not be appropriate.
An exemption may apply where there are safety concerns, including situations involving domestic abuse, supported by appropriate evidence.
In some situations, the court may accept an exemption where urgent action is required. Examples may include:
These are not the only exemptions. Whether an exemption applies is ultimately determined by the court.
Where a MIAM exemption applies, this is usually indicated when completing a court application.
The exemption is declared on:
The court may ask for information or evidence supporting the exemption claimed.
Even where an exemption may apply, some people still choose to attend a MIAM to better understand their options before proceeding.
If the court is not satisfied that an exemption applies, the application may be delayed until the MIAM requirement is met.
Many people are unsure whether their situation meets the criteria for a MIAM exemption.
If you are considering a court application, understanding whether a MIAM is required can help avoid delay.
In many situations, attending a MIAM is the simplest way to ensure the court requirement is met.
You may find the following guidance helpful:
If you would prefer structured guidance to help consider whether mediation may be appropriate, you can also use our:
Even where an exemption may apply, some people still choose to attend a MIAM to ensure the process is clear before proceeding.
This can be helpful if:
Attending a MIAM does not commit you to mediation.
MIAM exemptions exist to protect people and ensure the court process operates fairly.
Exemptions are intended to apply in specific circumstances.
If an exemption is incorrectly claimed, the court may:
Understanding whether an exemption genuinely applies can help avoid delay.
If an exemption does not apply to your situation, the next step is usually to arrange a MIAM appointment.
A MIAM allows a mediator to understand your circumstances and consider whether mediation may help resolve the issues being discussed.
If you think an exemption may apply, or would like to understand the process in more detail, you may find the following pages helpful:
If you would first like to understand how MIAM appointments work within our service, you can read: MIAM