What is a MIAM?

A MIAM — a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting — is a short, private meeting with a qualified family mediator. For most people in England and Wales, it is the required first step before applying to the family court about children or finances.

Despite the name, a MIAM is not mediation itself. It is a one-to-one conversation between you and the mediator — the other person is not present. Its purpose is to explain how family mediation works, to look at whether mediation could be a realistic option in your situation, and to make sure you have considered it before going to court. The Family Mediation Council (FMC) sets the standards for how MIAMs are run, and only FMC-registered mediators can issue the certificate the court needs.

At Digital MIAM, the whole process happens online. You complete a guided intake form in advance, attend your appointment by video call, and receive a court-approved MIAM certificate afterwards. There is no travel, no waiting rooms, and no lengthy delays.

Why a MIAM is required

Since April 2014, the family courts in England and Wales have required most applicants to attend a MIAM before making an application. This is set out in the Family Procedure Rules. The reasoning is straightforward: mediation can often resolve family disputes more quickly, at lower cost, and with far less stress than court. The MIAM makes sure you have at least considered that route first.

In practice, if you want to apply for a child arrangements order, a financial remedy order, or certain other applications, you will usually need a MIAM certificate before the court will accept your application. The MIAM does not stop you going to court — it simply confirms you have considered mediation. If mediation is not suitable, or the other person will not take part, the mediator can still issue your certificate.

What happens during a MIAM

During the meeting, the mediator will explain what mediation involves, ask about your situation and the issues you need to resolve, carry out the required safety screening, and give you an honest view of whether mediation might help. It is a conversation, not a formal assessment — there are no right or wrong answers, and the mediator does not decide who is right or wrong in your dispute. Everything you say is confidential.

At the end, the mediator can issue you with the MIAM certificate (the C100 or Form A) that the court requires — regardless of whether mediation goes ahead.

The Digital MIAM difference

Booking a MIAM used to mean days or weeks of waiting and an in-person appointment that was not always convenient. We have modernised it. Our MIAMs are among the lowest-cost in England and Wales, starting at £95, with a Fast Track option available typically the same day. Every case is assessed by a qualified, FMC-registered mediator — we use AI only to support our mediators with admin and case summaries, never to replace human judgement.

If you have been told you need a MIAM, you can arrange one online in minutes. For free, plain-English background on mediation, you can also visit our sister resource, The Family Mediation Project.

Legally Compliant & FMC Registered Mediators

All of our mediators are registered with the Family Mediation Council (FMC) and follow the same professional standards and ethical code required across the sector. Your MIAM will be accepted by the Family Court as evidence that you have considered mediation.