A MIAM is usually the first step before applying to family court. Book online through our trusted digital service.
Book a MIAM →What If Only One Person Attends a MIAM?
One person attending a MIAM is completely normal — and it works. You attend alone, the meeting is private, and your certificate is yours to keep.
A MIAM is always an individual appointment. Attending alone is the standard, not the exception. Your certificate is issued to you — the other person's position is irrelevant to whether you can proceed.
Key points
- A MIAM is an individual appointment — one person at a time is how it is always structured.
- You do not attend your MIAM with the other person — each person has their own private meeting.
- If the other person refuses, your FM1 certificate is still issued after your own appointment.
- The mediator notes the other party's non-engagement on your certificate for the court.
- You are not penalised for attending alone — it is the correct and expected approach.
Can You Attend a MIAM Alone?
Yes. Attending a MIAM alone is not an unusual or exceptional situation — it is the standard format. A MIAM is always an individual appointment. You meet with the mediator privately, discuss your situation, and receive your assessment. The other person is never in the room with you.
This means the question of whether 'only one person attends' is slightly misleading. In practice, the MIAM process involves each person attending their own separate individual appointment. There is no such thing as a joint MIAM.
If you attend your MIAM and the other person has not yet attended theirs — or refuses to — you still receive your FM1 certificate at the end of your own appointment. Your certificate does not depend on theirs.
A MIAM is always individual. One person attending their own MIAM alone is not an edge case — it is exactly how the process is designed to work.
What Happens After You Attend Alone?
After your MIAM, the mediator will contact the other person on your behalf to invite them to their own appointment. This contact is standard practice — you do not need to ask your ex or partner yourself.
If the other person agrees and attends their own MIAM, and if both parties are willing to try mediation, joint sessions can be arranged. If the other person refuses, the mediator records this. Your FM1 certificate is issued with a note of their non-engagement.
You can then proceed with a family court application in the usual way. Their refusal is on the record — the court can see it.
What to Do Next
Book your MIAM now. You do not need to wait for the other person to agree, show willingness, or even know you are booking. The appointment is yours. Online MIAM appointments are available within a few days and typically last 45–60 minutes.
If you are concerned about safety or whether mediation is appropriate given your circumstances, raise this with the mediator when you book. The MIAM is also an assessment of whether mediation is suitable — if it isn't, the mediator will tell you, and your certificate is still issued.
Find an FMC-accredited mediator via the Family Mediation Council directory, or use an online MIAM provider. How to Book a MIAM
Related Questions
Can one person attend a MIAM without the other?
Yes. A MIAM is an individual appointment — each person attends their own separately. You do not need the other person to be present or even willing. You can book and attend your MIAM entirely independently, and your FM1 certificate is issued once your appointment is complete.
Will I still get my FM1 certificate if my ex doesn't attend a MIAM?
Yes. Your FM1 certificate is issued to you after your individual MIAM appointment regardless of whether the other person attends theirs. Their non-attendance does not delay or prevent your certificate being issued. The mediator notes their non-engagement on the form.
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