Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings (MIAMs)

Your first meeting with a mediator is called a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting, or MIAM. It is a one-to-one meeting. It gives you a chance to talk about what you need to get sorted and to discuss what your options are.

The mediator will be able to tell you about how mediation works and answer any questions you may have. They will also be able to signpost you to any other services or resources that might be helpful to you.

By the end of the meeting, you should have reached a decision with the mediator about whether mediation would be appropriate and suitable for your circumstances.

If it is agreed that mediation could help, we will contact the other party to invite them in - either for an equivalent information and assessment meeting or, if this has already taken place, to arrange a joint meeting at a convenient time for both of you.


Are you thinking of applying to court?

If you're intending to apply to court to reach a settlement over money and property or arrangements for children, you must usually have attended a MIAM to demonstrate that you have considered mediation.

Mediation is a voluntary process. If it doesn't proceed, or if it breaks down at any point, the mediator can fill in a form confirming that you have considered or tried it and this will enable you to make an application to court.