Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1

Am I exempt from attending a MIAM?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

Do I need a MIAM before Court?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

Do you charge extra for a MIAM certificate?

Accepted Answer

No. The MIAM certificate is included in the cost of your Digital MIAM session.

Question 4

How is the MIAM session conducted?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

How long does a MIAM take?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 6

How long is a MIAM certificate valid for?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 7

How much does a MIAM cost?

Accepted Answer

A standard MIAM through Digital MIAM costs £94.99. This includes the MIAM session and certificate. An urgent same day (or within 24hrs) MIAM is charged at an advanced rate of £124.99.

Question 8

How quickly can I get my MIAM certificate?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 9

What happens at a MIAM?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 10

What is a MIAM?

Accepted Answer

A MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting) is a mandatory, 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.

Question 11

Are your mediators accredited?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 12

Do I have to attend family mediation?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 13

How does family mediation work?

Accepted Answer

Family mediation follows three main steps:MIAM – Each party attends a separate intake meeting.Joint Mediation Sessions – Both parties discuss issues with the mediator.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.

Question 14

How long does mediation take?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 15

How much does mediation cost after the MIAM?

Accepted Answer

After the MIAM, if both parties are willing, you will be invited to a joint mediation session. Our mediation session pricing is:Online mediation: £130 per hour, per personFace-to-face mediation: £150 per hour, per person (includes venue hire and subject to mediator locality)Child-inclusive mediation: £190 per hour, per parent

Question 16

Is mediation legally binding?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 17

What is the family mediation success rate?

Accepted Answer

At Digital MIAM, 88% of clients reach agreement after only a few mediation sessions. This includes matters relating to Child and Financial arrangements.

Question 18

What issues can be discussed in mediation?

Accepted Answer

Family mediation disputes can cover:Child arrangements (custody, visitation, holidays)Financial and property settlementsChild and spousal maintenanceCo-parenting and communication strategiesOther family disputes related to separation or divorce

Question 19

What types of disputes can be mediated?

Accepted Answer

Digital MIAM specialises in family mediation services, covering a wide range of disputes including:Divorce and separation - Property division, child custody, and support arrangementsChild-related matters - Parenting plans, visitation schedules, and educational decisionsFinancial disputes - Asset division, debt allocation, and financial supportOur mediators are trained to handle complex family situations with sensitivity and professionalism.

Question 20

What are the system requirements?

Accepted Answer

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 EdgeDevice - Computer, tablet, or smartphone with camera and microphoneOperating system - Windows 10+, macOS 10.14+, iOS 12+, or Android 8+Browser settings - JavaScript enabled and pop-ups allowed for our domainFor the best experience, we recommend using a desktop or laptop computer with a reliable internet connection.

Question 21

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

Getting started with Digital MIAM is simple and straightforward:Create an account - Sign up using your email address and create a secure passwordComplete your intake questionnaire - Provide the necessary information about your caseComplete payment - Make payment securely via Card or Bank TransferSchedule your consultation - Book an initial meeting with one of our qualified mediatorsBegin the process - Start your mediation journey with our guided approachOur support team is available to help you through each step of the process.

Question 22

I'm having trouble accessing my account

Accepted Answer

If you're experiencing login issues, try these troubleshooting steps:Check your credentials - Ensure your email and password are correctClear browser cache - Clear cookies and cached data for our siteTry a different browser - Try with Chrome, Firefox, or SafariCheck internet connection - Ensure you have a stable connectionDisable browser extensions - Some extensions may interfere with loginIf problems persist, contact our technical support team at support@digitalmiam.co.uk or use the live chat feature.

Question 23

Is my information secure?

Accepted Answer

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 encryptedSecure servers - Data is stored on certified secure servers with regular backupsAccess controls - Strict authentication and authorization protocolsCompliance - We adhere to GDPR and other relevant data protection regulationsRegular audits - Our security measures are regularly reviewed and updatedYour privacy is protected throughout the entire mediation process.

Question 24

Video calls are not working properly

Accepted Answer

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 applicationsGrant browser permissions - Allow camera and microphone access when promptedTest your equipment - Use our built-in audio/video test before joining callsClose other applications - Free up system resources by closing unnecessary programsCheck internet speed - Use a speed test to ensure adequate bandwidthTry a different device - Test with a different computer or mobile deviceIf issues continue, our technical team can provide remote assistance during your scheduled session.

Question 25

What payment methods do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept various payment methods for your convenience:Credit/Debit Cards - Visa, Mastercard, American ExpressBank Transfers - Direct bank transfers (BACS)PayPal - Secure PayPal paymentsApple Pay/Google Pay - Mobile payment optionsAll payments are processed securely through our encrypted payment system. You'll receive a receipt immediately after payment confirmation.

Question 26

Can I get a refund if I cancel?

Accepted Answer

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

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