A MIAM is usually the first step before applying to family court. Book online through our trusted digital service.
Book a MIAM →What Is a MIAM?
A MIAM — Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting — is a short, private meeting with an accredited family mediator. It is usually required before you can apply to a family court in England and Wales.
Key Points
- A MIAM stands for Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting.
- It is usually required before making a family court application in England and Wales.
- You attend on your own — it is not a joint meeting with the other person.
- The appointment typically lasts between 45 minutes and one hour.
- The mediator is not a judge — they do not make decisions about your case.
- After the MIAM, the mediator issues a certificate (the FM1 form) that the court requires.
- In some situations a MIAM is not required — for example, if domestic abuse is involved.
What Does MIAM Stand For?
MIAM stands for Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting. It is a short, private meeting between you and an accredited family mediator — not a joint session with the other person involved in your dispute.
Despite the name, a MIAM is not mediation itself. It is a preliminary meeting that gives you the chance to learn about how family mediation works and whether it might be appropriate in your situation.
The Family Mediation Council (FMC) sets the standards for how MIAMs are conducted. Only FMC-accredited mediators can issue the certificate that courts require.
In short: A MIAM is an information and assessment meeting — not mediation. It is the first step in understanding whether mediation is the right route for your situation.
Why Is a MIAM Required?
Since April 2014, the family courts in England and Wales have required most applicants to attend a MIAM before making a court application. This is set out in the Family Procedure Rules.
The requirement exists because mediation can often resolve family disputes more quickly, at lower cost, and with less stress than going to court. The MIAM ensures that applicants have at least considered mediation before resorting to litigation.
In practice, this means that if you want to apply to a family court — for example, for a child arrangements order, a financial remedy order, or certain other applications — you will usually need a MIAM certificate before the court will accept your application.
Key point: The MIAM does not prevent you from going to court. It simply means you have considered mediation first. If mediation is not suitable or the other person refuses to attend, the mediator can still issue your certificate.
What Happens During a MIAM?
During the MIAM, the mediator will explain what family mediation is and how the process works. They will ask you about your situation — the issues you need to resolve, any concerns about safety or wellbeing, and whether mediation might be a realistic option.
The meeting is a conversation, not a formal assessment. There are no right or wrong answers, and the mediator is not forming a view about who is right or wrong in the dispute.
Safety screening is a required part of every MIAM. The mediator will ask sensitively whether there are any concerns about domestic abuse, coercive control, or other welfare issues. If there are, they will explain what options are available.
Example: A parent wanting to apply for a child arrangements order would attend a MIAM where the mediator discusses the issues around where the child will live, the school run, and holidays — and assesses whether these could realistically be explored in mediation before court.
Important: The mediator at your MIAM will not share what you say with the other person, or with the court. The meeting is confidential.
Who Needs to Attend a MIAM?
If you are the person making a family court application — the applicant — you are required to attend a MIAM before the court will accept your application.
If you receive notice that someone else has applied to court about a matter involving you — you may also be required to attend a MIAM, unless an exemption applies.
You attend your own MIAM separately. The other person does not attend the same meeting as you. If both parties want to explore mediation, each attends their own individual MIAM with the same mediator.
When Is a MIAM Not Required?
There are specific circumstances in which you may be exempt from attending a MIAM. These exemptions are set out in the Family Procedure Rules and cover situations where mediation would be unsuitable or unsafe.
Common exemptions include:
- Domestic abuse — evidence of abuse may exempt you from attending.
- Urgency — some emergency applications do not require a MIAM.
- Child protection — if a child is at risk.
- Bankruptcy — certain financial proceedings.
- Previous MIAM — if you attended one in the past four months.
The mediator does not decide whether an exemption applies — that is a matter for the court. However, a mediator can help you understand whether your circumstances might qualify.
Read more: MIAM ExemptionsWhat Happens After the MIAM?
At the end of the MIAM, the mediator will issue a certificate — officially called the FM1 form. This certificate confirms that you have attended the meeting and is required when making most family court applications.
The certificate is issued regardless of whether mediation is going ahead. If the mediator concludes that mediation is not suitable, or if the other person declines to attend, you will still receive your certificate for court.
If both parties are willing to try mediation, the mediator will usually arrange the first joint session after both MIAMs have taken place.
Read more: What Happens After a MIAM?Next Steps: How to Arrange a MIAM
If you need to apply to a family court and require a MIAM, the first step is to find an FMC-accredited mediator. You can search for one through the Family Mediation Council website, or use an online provider that offers video appointments.
Contact the mediator to confirm availability, discuss any legal aid eligibility, and book a date that suits you. Most providers can offer an appointment within a few days — particularly if you attend online.
You do not need a solicitor to book or attend a MIAM. You can arrange it directly.
How to Book a MIAM — step-by-step guideFrequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions
Have more questions about MIAMs, mediation, or the court process? Our FAQ page provides quick answers to the most common queries.
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When you are ready to attend your MIAM, you can book an appointment online with a qualified, FMC-accredited mediator.
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Many people start by learning, not deciding. That is completely okay.
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Many people start by learning, not deciding. That is completely okay.