What is a MIAM?
The basics, explained simply. What a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting is, what it is for, and how it fits into separating well.
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The MIAM UK blog
Clear, up-to-date guidance on MIAMs
Practical articles about Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings, written and reviewed by our team and updated as the law and process change. We have organised everything by stage, so you can go straight to where you are.
Reviewed by Jess Knauf, Director of Client Strategy · in line with our Editorial Standards
Browse by stage
Five topics that follow the MIAM journey from start to finish. Choose the one that fits your question.
Do I need a MIAM?
Whether a MIAM applies to you, including the exemptions that mean you can apply to court without attending one.
Read these postsAttending a MIAM
Booking your MIAM and what to expect on the day, from the first call through to the meeting itself.
Read these postsAfter a MIAM
What happens next: your certificate, the other person, moving into mediation, and the court forms if that is the route you take.
Read these postsMIAM costs & legal aid
What a MIAM costs, urgent options, the voucher scheme, and how to get a free MIAM through legal aid.
Read these postsLatest posts
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Free MIAM Legal Aid: Are You Eligible?
The short answer You can get a free MIAM through legal aid if you pass the means test for family mediation, which looks at your income and your capital. If you receive Universal Credit, you pass the income part automatically, though your savings are still checked. What your dispute is about makes no difference. Key…
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Mediation Not Suitable? What to Do After Your MIAM
The short answer If your mediator finds mediation not suitable, or the other person won’t take part, you haven’t done anything wrong and you aren’t stuck. The mediator can sign your MIAM certificate so you can apply to court, and other ways of reaching agreement may still be open to you. Key facts Your mediator…
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Do You Need a MIAM for a Financial Order?
You normally need a MIAM before a Form A financial application, not just for children cases. When it applies, when it does not, and what a consent order needs.
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MIAM Near Me: Why Your Postcode Does Not Decide It
A MIAM is valid for court wherever it is held, including online. What to look for instead of a postcode, what it costs, and when being local genuinely helps.
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What Does MIAM Stand For? The Acronym Explained
MIAM stands for Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting. What each word means, how to say it, what happens at one, and whether you need it before court.
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Legal Aid MIAM Documents: What Proof Do You Need?
The short answer The legal aid MIAM documents you need depend on how you qualify. If you receive a passporting benefit, a current benefit statement or a recent DWP letter is usually all we need. If you work or are self-employed, you will need your most recent payslip, or your SA302 or accounts, along with…
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Domestic Abuse MIAM Exemption: What Evidence You Need
The short answer A domestic abuse MIAM exemption lets you apply to the family court without attending a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting first. To claim it, you tick the exemption on your application form and attach one of the 21 forms of evidence listed in Practice Direction 3A, such as a police caution, a…
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How to Use the £500 Family Mediation Voucher
The short answer The family mediation voucher is a government contribution of up to £500 towards the cost of mediation about your children. It is not means-tested, you do not repay it, and your mediator claims it for you. It does not cover the MIAM itself, so you attend your assessment meeting first and the…
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How long is a MIAM certificate valid for?
The short answer A MIAM certificate lasts for four months. Keeping your MIAM certificate valid means getting your court application in within four months of the date you attended your Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting. Miss that window and the court will usually expect you to attend a fresh MIAM before it accepts your application.…
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What to bring to your MIAM appointment | Checklist
The short answer You need far less than most people expect. The honest answer to what to bring to your MIAM is photo ID, contact details for the other person, any court paperwork you have already received, and a short note of what you most want to sort out. Financial paperwork is only needed if…
Written by people, not bots
Every article here is written to a brief by our team, reviewed by our Director of Client Strategy, and checked for accuracy by an accredited mediator before it goes live. We are open about how we work: you can read our Editorial Standards and our AI Use Policy in full.
If you spot something that needs updating, or you have a question we have not answered, email hello@miam.uk.com and we will take a look.
Ready when you are. When you have read enough, you can book your MIAM online with a named, accredited mediator, or book a free 15-minute call if you would like to talk it through first.