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A MIAM is usually the first step before applying to family court. Book online with one of our preferred providers.

How Long Does a MIAM Take?

If you are booking a MIAM, you may be wondering how much time to set aside. Here is what to expect.

Edited and overseen by Romina Kamran, FMC-accredited family mediator (FMC 1399A)

Last reviewed 13 March 2026 · How we write our guides · Follow Romina's tips on Instagram

Key Points

Most MIAM appointments last between 45 minutes and one hour.
Straightforward cases may take around 30 minutes.
More complex situations — particularly where safety concerns are involved — may take up to 90 minutes.
There is no fixed minimum or maximum duration set by law.
Online and in-person MIAMs typically take the same amount of time.

What Is the Typical Duration of a MIAM?

Most MIAM appointments take between 45 minutes and one hour. This is enough time for the mediator to explain how mediation works, ask about your situation, carry out the required safety screening, and give you an initial assessment of whether mediation might be suitable.

In short: Allow at least one hour. Most appointments fit comfortably within this. Very few run longer than 90 minutes.

Some MIAMs are shorter — around 30 minutes — where the situation is straightforward, the issues are clearly defined, and there are no safeguarding concerns to explore. Others may run slightly longer if there is a lot to cover or if the person attending has many questions.

What Affects How Long a MIAM Takes?

There is no fixed or legally prescribed duration. The length depends on the individual appointment. The main factors that affect how long a MIAM takes are:

Complexity of the situation — cases involving both child arrangements and financial disputes take longer than single-issue cases.
Safety screening — if there are concerns about domestic abuse or other welfare issues, the mediator will spend more time on this.
Number of questions — if you have many questions about the mediation process, this adds time.
Mediator's approach — some mediators work more conversationally and may take longer to cover the same ground.

Example: A person wanting to resolve a disagreement about the school run with their ex-partner — a relatively contained issue with no safeguarding concerns — might complete a MIAM in around 35 minutes. Someone navigating both child custody and property division, with a history of difficult communication, might need closer to 75 minutes.

Is There a Minimum Length for a MIAM?

There is no legally prescribed minimum duration. However, the Family Mediation Council sets professional standards that require mediators to cover specific areas — including an explanation of mediation, an assessment of suitability, and safety screening. A MIAM that is significantly shorter than 30 minutes may not have covered all of these areas adequately.

Note: If you attend a MIAM that feels unusually brief — under 20 minutes — it is worth confirming with the mediator that the safety screening and suitability assessment were fully completed. Courts may question a certificate issued after a very short appointment.

Does an Online MIAM Take Longer Than In-Person?

No. An online MIAM — conducted by video call — covers exactly the same ground as an in-person appointment and takes roughly the same amount of time. The format does not change what the mediator is required to cover.

Some people find online appointments feel slightly more focused because the structure is clear and there is no travel or waiting involved. Others prefer the pace of an in-person meeting, particularly if they want to ask a lot of questions.

How Much Time Should You Allow on the Day?

As a practical guide:

The appointment itself: at least one hour.
If attending in person: add travel time to and from the mediator's office.
After the appointment: allow a little time in case you have follow-up questions, or simply to process what was discussed.
Certificate receipt: most mediators issue the FM1 certificate within 24 to 48 hours of the appointment.

You do not need to prepare extensively for a MIAM — the mediator will guide the conversation. It simply helps to have a clear sense of the main issues you want to resolve before you attend.

Next Steps: Arranging Your MIAM

Now that you know how much time to allow, the next step is to find an FMC-accredited mediator and confirm a date. Most providers can offer appointments within a few days — especially if you choose to attend by video call.

When you make contact, let the mediator know the nature of your dispute. They can give you a better sense of how long your particular appointment is likely to take.

How to Book a MIAM — step-by-step guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Most MIAM appointments last between 45 minutes and one hour. Straightforward cases may take around 30 minutes; more complex situations can run up to 90 minutes.

There is no legally prescribed minimum. However, the Family Mediation Council requires mediators to cover specific areas — including safety screening and a suitability assessment — which means a thorough MIAM typically takes at least 30 minutes.

No. An online MIAM covers the same ground as an in-person appointment and typically takes the same amount of time.

This is unusual. A MIAM is designed to be completed in a single session. However, if exceptional circumstances arise — for example, a technical issue or an urgent matter — a mediator may arrange a follow-up. This would be at their discretion.

If your appointment lasted under 20 minutes, it is worth checking with the mediator that all required areas — including safety screening — were covered. An unusually brief MIAM may raise questions when the FM1 certificate is submitted to court.