What Is a MIAM?

MIAM stands for Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting.

It is not mediation itself. It is an initial meeting where a trained mediator explains how family mediation works and assesses whether mediation may be suitable for your situation.

During a MIAM, the mediator may ask about:

• Your family situation
• The dispute you are trying to resolve
• Whether children are involved
• Any safety concerns
• Whether mediation could be appropriate
• Whether another route may be better

The goal is to explore whether the issue can be resolved without immediately going through family court. Because, as anyone who has dealt with family admin knows, if there is a less stressful route than court, it is usually worth at least understanding it.

Do You Need a MIAM Before Family Court?

In many cases, yes. If you want to apply to the family court for a child arrangements order or certain other family applications, you may be required to attend a MIAM first unless you qualify for an exemption.

This does not mean you are forced to mediate. It means you are usually expected to find out whether mediation or another non-court option could help before asking the court to decide.

Common applications where MIAM rules may be relevant include:

• Child arrangements
• Where a child lives
• When a child spends time with each parent
• Specific issue orders
• Prohibited steps orders
• Some financial remedy applications

What Happens During a MIAM?

A MIAM is usually a private meeting between you and a mediator. It may happen in person, by video call or by phone depending on the provider.

The mediator will usually explain:

• What family mediation is
• How mediation sessions work
• What mediation can and cannot do
• How costs work
• Whether legal aid may be available
• Whether your situation appears suitable for mediation
• What happens if mediation is not suitable

The other parent may also be invited to attend their own MIAM. You usually do not have to attend the same MIAM together.

Does Attending a MIAM Mean I Have to Mediate?

No. Attending a MIAM does not mean you must go ahead with mediation.

After the MIAM, mediation may not continue if:

• The mediator decides mediation is unsuitable
• There are safety concerns
• One parent refuses to mediate
• The issue is too urgent
• An exemption applies
• You decide mediation is not the right route

If mediation does not go ahead, the mediator may sign the relevant section of your court application form, confirming that you attended a MIAM or that an exemption applies.

MIAM Exemptions

Some people do not have to attend a MIAM before applying to family court. These are known as MIAM exemptions.

Possible exemptions may include:

• Evidence of domestic abuse
• Risk of harm to a child
• Urgent applications
• Child protection concerns
• Previous MIAM attendance for the same or similar issue within the relevant timeframe
• Where the other person cannot be contacted
• Where mediation is not available within a reasonable distance or timeframe
• Other specific legal or practical reasons

How Much Does a MIAM Cost?

MIAM costs vary by provider. GOV.UK currently says the usual cost is around £120, but you should confirm the fee directly before booking. The MIAM fee is separate from the cost of any mediation sessions that follow.

Some people may qualify for legal aid, which can cover the cost of a MIAM and may also affect the cost for the other person in some circumstances.

For eligible child-related cases, the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme may contribute up to £500 towards mediation sessions. The voucher does not cover the MIAM itself, availability is limited and the mediator applies for it rather than paying the money to the parents.

If you are booking a MIAM, it is sensible to ask:

• How much the MIAM costs
• Whether legal aid is available
• Whether the meeting is online or in person
• Whether both parents need separate MIAMs
• What happens if mediation is unsuitable
• Whether they can sign the court form if needed

How to Prepare for a MIAM

You do not need to prepare a courtroom-style bundle for a MIAM. This is not a trial. No wigs, no dramatic speeches, no “objection” unless you are very committed to embarrassing yourself.

But it does help to be organised.

Before your MIAM, think about:

• What issue you need help resolving
• What arrangements currently exist
• What you would like to change
• What your child needs practically and emotionally
• Any safety concerns
• Any important dates, messages or agreements
• Whether there are existing court orders

If the dispute is about child arrangements, it can help to write down your preferred schedule and any areas where you may be willing to compromise.

What Documents Should You Bring?

You may not need many documents for the MIAM itself, but useful information can include:

• Current child arrangements
• School or nursery schedules
• Existing court orders
• Relevant messages or emails
• Details of safeguarding concerns
• Evidence relating to MIAM exemptions, if relevant
• Financial information if the dispute involves money

Keeping communication and arrangements organised before this point can make the process much less stressful.

What Happens After a MIAM?

After a MIAM, several things may happen.

You may:

• Proceed to family mediation
• Use another form of non-court dispute resolution
• Reach an agreement without court
• Decide mediation is unsuitable
• Apply to family court if needed

If you need to apply to court, the mediator may complete the relevant MIAM confirmation section of your application form.

MIAMs and Child Arrangements

Many separated parents attend a MIAM because they cannot agree child arrangements.

This may include disagreements about:

• Where the child lives
• How often the child sees each parent
• School holidays
• Handovers
• Travel abroad
• Special occasions
• Communication between parents

A MIAM can help identify whether mediation might provide a calmer way to work through these issues before the court becomes involved.

Do Both Parents Attend the MIAM Together?

Usually, each person attends their own MIAM separately. This gives each parent an opportunity to explain the situation privately and allows the mediator to assess safety, suitability and any imbalance of power. GOV.UK says that each parent will usually need their own MIAM.

If one parent attends and the other does not, that does not automatically prevent the attending parent from making a court application. An accredited mediator can explain what confirmation is required for the application.

How Long Does a MIAM Take?

The appointment length varies between providers and according to the issues involved. Ask the mediator how much time is included when booking. The purpose is to understand the dispute, explain the available options and assess whether mediation or another form of non-court dispute resolution may be safe and suitable; it is not a court hearing and no final parenting decision is made during the meeting.

What Happens If You Continue to Family Mediation?

If both parents and the mediator consider mediation suitable, further sessions can be arranged. The mediator remains independent: they help both people identify issues, consider options and record any agreement, but they do not impose a decision or act as either parent’s solicitor.

Family mediation may cover child arrangements, school holidays, handovers, communication, living arrangements and, where appropriate, financial matters. The Family Mediation Council says mediation commonly takes several meetings, although the number depends on what the family needs to resolve.

When Might Mediation Be Unsuitable?

Mediation is not appropriate for every family. Domestic abuse, coercive control, fear, urgent child-welfare concerns or a serious imbalance of power may mean a different process is needed. The mediator must assess suitability and safety rather than assuming that better communication alone will resolve the problem.

If anyone is in immediate danger, call 999. For non-emergency help, use GOV.UK’s domestic abuse support information or seek advice from an appropriate family-law or safeguarding professional.

How The Coparent App Can Help During the MIAM Process

The Coparent App can help separated parents keep communication, calendars, parenting plans and records organised before, during and after the MIAM process.

This can be useful because mediators, solicitors and family professionals often need a clear picture of what has been happening.

The Coparent App can help with:

• AI-assisted messages to keep communication calmer and child-focused
• Shared calendars for child arrangements, handovers and appointments
• Parenting plans to record proposed or agreed arrangements
• Court-ready records if communication needs to be reviewed later
• Boundary Mode^™ to reduce message bombardment
• Quiet Mode to reduce non-urgent interruptions
• Unlimited storage for documents and important information

For parents searching for a court approved co-parenting app, it is worth knowing that there is not usually one official UK-wide approval list for every family court case. What many parents need is a court-ready co-parenting app that helps keep communication structured, dated and easier to review.

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Final Thoughts

A MIAM can feel like another hurdle when you are already dealing with separation, stress and child arrangements. But for many parents, it can also be a useful opportunity to understand options before going to court.

Mediation will not be right for every family. Where there is abuse, risk or urgency, court may still be necessary. But where it is safe and suitable, the MIAM process can help parents explore whether agreement is possible.

Whatever route you take, clear communication, organised records and a child-focused approach can make the process easier to manage.

Frequently Asked Questions