Mediation
MEDIATION INFORMATION AND ASSESMENT MEETING
Mediation information and assesement meeting
You are legally required to attend a MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting) before any application is made to the family court to resolve a dispute about your children or finances.
There are exemptions to attending a MIAM.
Three of the most common exemptions are:
Domestic Abuse Cases
If there is evidence of violence or domestic abuse against you, you do not need to attend mediation. However, when you submit your court application, you will be asked to provide evidence of domestic abuse and you will also need to show details about the criminal proceedings of the other party or that they had been arrested for an offence for domestic violence. In cases when you do not have this information, you will need to ask your medical practitioner to provide written evidence. You can also ask a professional body or a domestic abuse organisation to show that the abuse had taken place.
No Available Mediators Within 15 Miles
If you have been unable to get a family mediator within 15 miles of your home as they have all informed you that they are unable to schedule a MIAM meeting within 15 working days, then you do not need to attend a MIAM. However, you will need to have tried all of these mediators, or at least three if there are several. You should also consider that many family mediators are now offering online MIAMs due to the pandemic which may help accommodate these timescales and also any disabilities.
An Urgent Hearing Is Required
It’s important to note that the urgency of your case will be decided by the court. However, in situations that involve children and if there is a risk of harm or life, you may not need to attend a MIAM.
How can mediation help?
You can can can search for a mediator and find more information about mediation (and other sources of help) using this website: www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/.
You can can search for a mediator and find more information about mediation (and other sources of help) using this website: www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/.