Yes. Mediation is widely used to help separating parents agree on child arrangements, including where children will live, how much time they spend with each parent, holiday arrangements, and schooling decisions. A mediator helps parents focus on the children's needs and communicate more constructively. Many parents find that reaching their own agreement through mediation produces more flexible, lasting arrangements than those imposed by a court following contested proceedings.

No. Children do not attend standard mediation sessions between parents. If child-inclusive mediation is used, a specially trained mediator meets the child separately — not in the joint sessions. This is entirely optional and only appropriate for children who are old enough and willing to participate. The purpose is to help parents understand their children's feelings, not to involve children in adult decision-making or to place them in a difficult position between their parents.

If mediation is unable to help you reach agreement about child arrangements, the mediator will confirm this and you can apply to the family court for a child arrangements order. Before making your application, you will need to have attended a MIAM. The court will consider what arrangement is in the best interests of the children. CAFCASS (the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) may be asked to provide a report in more complex or contested cases.

A parenting plan is a written record of the arrangements you and your co-parent have agreed for your children following separation. It can cover where children live, contact arrangements, holiday and special occasion arrangements, how you will communicate as parents, and how you will handle future disagreements. Parenting plans are not automatically legally binding, but they provide a clear agreed reference point. They are often produced as part of the mediation process, though they can also be created independently.

Child-inclusive mediation is a form of family mediation in which children are given the opportunity to have their voice heard during the process, if they wish to and are considered old enough. A specially trained mediator meets with the child separately and, with their permission, feeds their views back to the parents. It is entirely voluntary for the child and is not about putting them in the middle — it is about ensuring their perspective is considered in decisions that affect them.

All mediators at Digital MIAM are trained by the Family Mediation Council (FMC). Court forms are signed only by accredited mediators. You can view your mediator’s FMC details from your client dashboard. Your mediator information is shown to you once the Digital MIAM platform assigns one.

Mediation is voluntary, but attending a MIAM is usually mandatory before court proceedings - unless you qualify for an exemption. With Digital MIAM, you can begin the process online by creating an account and completing your intake form online.

No. The mediator does not make decisions for you or impose outcomes. Their role is to facilitate discussions, help both parties understand each other's positions, and support you in reaching your own agreement. This is fundamentally different from a judge or arbitrator. Any decisions made in mediation are your own. If you reach agreement, it can be made legally binding through a separate legal process — for example, a consent order for financial matters.

Family mediation follows three main steps:

1. MIAM – Each party attends a separate intake meeting.

2. Joint Mediation Sessions – Both parties discuss issues with the mediator.

3. Agreement Drafting – A summary of agreements is created, which can be turned into a legally binding document by a solicitor.

Digital MIAM's online workflow, makes the entire process more accessible and affordable.

Simple cases may take 1–2 sessions. Complex disputes, especially involving finances, may take 3–5 sessions or more. You can discuss your case and the potential timeframe with your mediator during the MIAM. Successful cases, spanning only a few mediation sessions, typically involve parties that are open and willing to commit to the process.

After the MIAM, if both parties are willing, you will be invited to a joint mediation session. Our mediation session pricing is:

• Online mediation: starting from £130 per hour, per person

• Specialist mediation: starting from £160 per, per person

• Child-Inclusive mediation: starting from £200

Mediation agreements are not legally binding. However, they can be formalised through a solicitor into a Consent Order, which the court can approve. Digital MIAM can help you with this process.

If mediation concludes without agreement, the mediator will issue documentation — including the MED1 form — confirming that mediation has ended. This allows you to proceed with a family court application. Mediation failing does not mean the process was wasted: it often helps narrow the issues in dispute, reduces conflict, and can make subsequent court proceedings shorter. The mediator can confirm to the court that the process was attempted in good faith by both parties.

Family mediation is a confidential process in which a trained, neutral mediator helps separating or divorcing individuals discuss and resolve disputes — including child arrangements, financial matters, and property. The mediator does not take sides or make decisions. Instead, they help both people communicate more effectively and work towards their own agreement. Mediation is often faster, less costly, and less adversarial than going to court.

At Digital MIAM, around 70%+ of clients reach agreement after only a few mediation sessions. This includes matters relating to Child and Financial arrangements.

Family mediation disputes can cover:

• Child arrangements (custody, visitation, holidays)

• Financial and property settlements

• Child and spousal maintenance

• Co-parenting and communication strategies

• Other family disputes related to separation or divorce

Digital MIAM specialises in family mediation services, covering a wide range of disputes including:

• Divorce and separation - Property division, child custody, and support arrangements

• Child-related matters - Parenting plans, visitation schedules, and educational decisions

• Financial disputes - Asset division, debt allocation, and financial support

Our mediators are trained to handle complex family situations with sensitivity and professionalism.

You may be exempt if there’s evidence of domestic abuse, immediate child safety issues, or if you’ve recently attended a MIAM. Other exemptions include urgency, lack of contact information for the other party, or if mediation was recently attempted. Your mediator can assess your situation and guide you at the MIAM stage.

Yes. Each person attends their own individual MIAM appointment — they do not attend together. If you attend your MIAM and the other person refuses or fails to attend theirs, the mediator will document this and can issue a certificate confirming that mediation could not proceed due to the other party's non-engagement. This allows you to continue with your court application without the other person having attended.

In most cases, yes. Before making a family court application — for example, about child arrangements or a financial order — you are legally required to attend a MIAM first. There are exemptions, including for cases involving domestic abuse, urgency, or where the other party has already attended. Your mediator will assess whether an exemption applies at your appointment.

A MIAM is legally required before you can apply to the family court for most child or financial matters. Mediation is often faster, less stressful, and more cost-effective than going to court. The MIAM also helps identify risks and ensures you’re aware of all available options.

Yes. A MIAM certificate starts from £25 and can be added to your booking during checkout.

The total cost of a MIAM session with MIAM certificate is £120:

• £95 for your MIAM session with a qualified professional mediator.

• £25 for the MIAM certificate.

Your MIAM will be conducted over Video Call, as per industry guidelines. If there is any reason why you are unable to access a video calling device or attend your MIAM over video, you will be able to indicate this when you complete your intake form. Your mediator will reach out to you and advise on how best to proceed.

A MIAM session typically lasts between 30 to 60 minutes. At Digital MIAM, we eliminate session admin by providing users with an intake form through their account dashboard prior to the MIAM - this allows for time during the MIAM session to be spent discussing important matters about your case.

A MIAM certificate (C100 and Form A), is valid for up to 4 months. This applies if you do not mediate within the 4 month period from the time the certificate was issued. However, if you chose to mediate within this timeframe, the validity is automatically extended. If mediation is not successful, and a 4 month period has lapsed, in order for you to proceed to court a new MIAM certificate will be required.

A standard MIAM with Digital MIAM costs £95.

If you require a MIAM certificate, you can add this during checkout for an additional £25, bringing the total to £120.

If you need your MIAM fast-tracked within 24 hours, this can be added for an additional £40.

On completing your MIAM, if your mediator deems mediation to be unsuitable in your case, you can request they provide you with the relevant court certificate. Once the mediator signs the form, your certificate is available to download securely from your Digital MIAM dashboard. Typically, certificates are available within an hour of the MIAM session, but please confirm this with your mediator at the end of the MIAM.

No. A MIAM is a separate, shorter meeting that takes place before mediation begins. It is an information and assessment meeting, not a mediation session. The mediator uses the MIAM to explain the process, assess suitability, and discuss your situation. If both parties are assessed as suitable and willing, mediation sessions may follow — but the MIAM itself is a distinct, standalone appointment.

When you attend a MIAM through Digital MIAM, the mediator explains how family mediation works, listens to your concerns, and assesses whether mediation or another method is appropriate. If there are safety concerns - such as domestic abuse - the mediator will assess for risk. At the end of the MIAM, you’ll be informed of the best next steps based on your situation.

If you apply to the family court without attending a MIAM and without a valid exemption, the court will generally not accept your application. You will typically be directed to attend a MIAM before your case can proceed. In some circumstances, the court may also make a costs order against a party who has unreasonably failed to engage with the MIAM process. There are limited exemptions, but these must be properly documented.

If you attend your MIAM but the other person refuses to engage or does not respond to the mediator's contact, the mediator can still issue a MIAM certificate. This means their refusal does not prevent you from making a court application. Courts may also take a negative view of an unjustified refusal to engage with the MIAM process when considering how to proceed with the case and potentially when making costs decisions.

A MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting) is a short, confidential meeting with a qualified family mediator. It’s the first step in resolving family disputes without going to court. During the session, the mediator explains the mediation process and assesses whether mediation is suitable for your situation. You must attend a MIAM before applying to the family court for issues such as child arrangements or financial settlements, unless you’re exempt.

To use Digital MIAM effectively, you'll need:

• Internet connection - Stable broadband connection (minimum 5 Mbps recommended)
• Web browser - Latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge
• Device - Computer, tablet, or smartphone with camera and microphone
• Operating system - Windows 10+, macOS 10.14+, iOS 12+, or Android 8+
• Browser settings - JavaScript enabled and pop-ups allowed for our domain

For the best experience, we recommend using a desktop or laptop computer with a reliable internet connection.

Getting started with Digital MIAM is simple and straightforward:

1. Create an account - Sign up using your email address and create a secure password

2. Complete your intake questionnaire - Provide the necessary information about your case

3. Complete payment - Make payment securely via Card or Bank Transfer

4. Schedule your consultation - Book an initial meeting with one of our qualified mediators

5. Begin the process - Start your mediation journey with our guided approach

Our support team is available to help you through each step of the process.

If you're experiencing login issues, try these troubleshooting steps:

1. Check your credentials - Ensure your email and password are correct

2. Clear browser cache - Clear cookies and cached data for our site

3. Try a different browser - Try with Chrome, Firefox, or Safari

4. Check internet connection - Ensure you have a stable connection

5. Disable browser extensions - Some extensions may interfere with login

If problems persist, contact our technical support team at support@digitalmiam.co.uk or use the live chat feature.

Security and confidentiality are our top priorities at Digital MIAM. We implement multiple layers of protection:

• End-to-end encryption - All communications and documents are encrypted
• Secure servers - Data is stored on certified secure servers with regular backups
• Access controls - Strict authentication and authorization protocols
• Compliance - We adhere to GDPR and other relevant data protection regulations
• Regular audits - Our security measures are regularly reviewed and updated

Your privacy is protected throughout the entire mediation process.

If you're experiencing video call issues, try these solutions:

• Check your camera and microphone - Ensure they're connected and not being used by other applications
• Grant browser permissions - Allow camera and microphone access when prompted
• Test your equipment - Use our built-in audio/video test before joining calls
• Close other applications - Free up system resources by closing unnecessary programs
• Check internet speed - Use a speed test to ensure adequate bandwidth
• Try a different device - Test with a different computer or mobile device

If issues continue, our technical team can provide remote assistance during your scheduled session.

We accept various payment methods for your convenience:

• Credit/Debit Cards - Visa, Mastercard, American Express

• Bank Transfers - Direct bank transfers (BACS)

• PayPal - Secure PayPal payments

• Apple Pay/Google Pay - Mobile payment options

All payments are processed securely through our encrypted payment system. You'll receive a receipt immediately after payment confirmation.

Our refund policy is designed to be fair and transparent. For more information on our refund policy, please read our Terms of Service - here.