When you are against a deadline
Urgent MIAMs
An urgent MIAM can be held the same or next working day. It is £222 including VAT per person, and it is conducted to exactly the same standards as a standard MIAM, by an FMC-accredited mediator, with your court form signed where appropriate.
People usually need one because of a court deadline, a hearing date, or a fast-moving situation. If that is you, the quickest step is to call us on 0330 999 0959 so we can arrange a slot.
Last reviewed · 12 June 2026 · Jess Knauf, Director of Client Strategy
Same FMC Standards as a standard MIAM · Court forms signed under FPR r.3.9(1)
When you might need an urgent MIAM
An urgent MIAM is for situations where a standard appointment in a few days will not be soon enough. Common reasons include:
| Situation | Why speed helps |
|---|---|
| A court deadline is approaching | You need your signed form quickly so your application is not delayed or missed. |
| A hearing has been listed | You need to satisfy the MIAM requirement before a date that is already fixed. |
| An expired certificate | Your previous MIAM was more than four months ago and you need a fresh one to apply. |
| A fast-moving situation | Arrangements for children or finances have changed and you need to move promptly. |
If your situation is a genuine emergency, for example a risk to a child’s safety, you may be able to apply to court without a MIAM under an exemption. See MIAM exemptions, and take urgent legal advice.
The two-pronged approach: court and mediation together
A common reason for booking an urgent MIAM is to make a start on two things at once, an approach the courts recognise. You apply for a court date, and at the same time you attempt mediation.
The advantage is that you lose no time. Applying to court secures your place in the queue, so if mediation does not resolve everything, your hearing is already booked. Meanwhile, mediation gives you the chance to reach an agreement before that date, which can be faster, less costly and less stressful than a contested hearing. If you settle, you may not need the hearing at all; if you do not, nothing has been lost.
This sits comfortably with the court process. Both Form A and the C100 include a section about your willingness to try non-court dispute resolution alongside your application, so applying and mediating in parallel is expected rather than frowned upon. Getting your MIAM done quickly is what makes the two-pronged approach possible, which is why an urgent MIAM is often the first step. If you go on to apply to court, you can read how this fits with the FM5 statement on our MIAM costs page.
How an urgent MIAM works
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Call us
Phone 0330 999 0959 and tell us your deadline. A call is the fastest way to secure a priority slot, and we can confirm availability straight away.
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Secure your slot
We arrange the earliest available appointment, the same or next working day, and send your video link and joining details.
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Attend your MIAM
A full MIAM by video, around an hour, with an accredited mediator. Nothing is skipped; the safety assessment and information are the same as always.
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Receive your signed form promptly
Where you need to apply to court, the mediator signs the relevant form and we turn it around quickly so you can meet your deadline.
Need a MIAM fast? An urgent MIAM is £222 inc VAT per person, same or next working day. Call 0330 999 0959 for the quickest response, or book online below.
Quick answers
Urgent MIAMs: common questions
How quickly can I get an urgent MIAM?
The same or next working day in most cases, subject to mediator availability. Calling us on 0330 999 0959 is the fastest way to confirm a slot.
How much does an urgent MIAM cost?
£222 including VAT per person (£185 + VAT). The premium over a standard MIAM reflects the priority appointment and the quick turnaround of your signed form.
Is an urgent MIAM a shorter or lighter version?
No. It is a full MIAM of around an hour, conducted to the same FMC Standards, including the safety assessment. The only difference is how quickly it happens.
Will I get my court form in time?
Where you need to apply to court, the mediator signs the relevant form and we turn it around promptly after your meeting, with the aim of meeting your deadline. Tell us the date so we can plan around it.
What if my situation is a true emergency?
If there is an immediate risk, for example to a child’s safety, you may be able to apply to court without a MIAM under an exemption. Take urgent legal advice and see MIAM exemptions.
Can an urgent MIAM be free with legal aid?
No. Legal aid covers a standard MIAM, not an urgent same or next-working-day appointment. If you qualify for legal aid, you would attend a free standard MIAM rather than a paid urgent one. We can check your eligibility quickly. See free MIAMs with legal aid.
Sources and further reading
- Family Mediation Council, MIAM Standards
- Family Procedure Rules, Practice Direction 3A, MIAM exemptions including urgency
- Children and Families Act 2014, section 10