Mediation Information & Assessment Meeting (MIAM)
A MIAM is an individual meeting with each participant to discuss whether Mediation may be suitable and whether any other form of non-Court dispute resolution (NCDR) is appropriate. For many years the Court has been obliged to consider, at every stage of proceedings, whether any form of NCDR is appropriate and has placed particular emphasis on Mediation. It is increasingly recognised that Mediation can be less damaging for all concerned, particularly the children, than litigation through the Courts. The intention is to move the participants towards taking responsibility and finding solutions together rather than the Court. We have Mediators based in Lincoln, Sleaford, Boston, Gainsborough, Scunthorpe, Grimsby Nottingham, Derby, Doncaster and Sheffield. Our Mediators can also carry out MIAMs and joint Mediation sessions remotely. We carry out MIAMs and Mediation for clients across the UK.
Mediation and other forms of NCDR can cover:
- Arrangements for children
- Financial arrangements on divorce & separation (including the division of property, savings, pensions, business assets, spousal maintenance and liabilities)
- Developing better communication skills to enable the participants to work together in the future as separated parents
At a MIAM the mediator will consider:
- The safety and suitability of Mediation.
- Obtain information about the individual and family’s circumstances and issues arising from the separation.
- Provide sufficient information about the process of Mediation and other forms of family dispute resolution to enable the person attending to make informed choices about how to resolve their family issues.
- Discuss and identify next steps including the value of seeking legal advice and any other form of help and support that may benefit and signpost where appropriate.
- Consider whether it is appropriate for there to be Child Inclusive Mediation where there are children involved of a certain age. Child Inclusive Mediation is conducted by specialist Mediators and allows children to have their voices heard as part of the Mediation process. Anything a child says to a Mediator is confidential (save for safeguarding exemptions). Reports written or otherwise cannot be provided to the Court. A Mediator relays the child’s view to their parents/carers as part of the Mediation process where the child gives permission for this. The adults remain the decision makers but hearing the views of children or young people can help those adults reach decisions.
- Explain the Mediation process & what can be expected within Mediation. Often the following process is followed:
- Establish what the participants want to achieve for themselves and for their children
- Collect and share the information and documentation that will enable an informed discussion to take place, e.g., financial disclosure
- Create a range of options to consider
- Evaluate and reality test any options put forward
- Come to mutually acceptable proposals which are usually recorded in a document known as a Memorandum of Understanding
- Discuss the core principles of Mediation as follows:
- Voluntary process conducted by an impartial Mediator
- A process where decision making rests with the participants
- A process that puts the needs of children and young people first
- A process that must be safe for all
- Confidential, except where there are risks of harm or criminal activity. The Court is not able to require Mediators to disclose information about any Mediation which has taken place except where there is an overriding obligation in law.
The Court require applicants to court proceedings to attend a meeting with an authorised Family Mediator for a MIAM to discuss their options for resolving family disputes before making an application to the Court. There are some exemptions but generally there is an expectation that an applicant will attend a MIAM prior to making an application to the Court. (The main exemptions are domestic abuse, reasons of urgency, previous MIAM attendance or bankruptcy).
We can carry out MIAMs in Lincoln, Sleaford, Boston, Gainsborough, Scunthorpe, Grimsby Nottingham, Derby, Doncaster and Sheffield. We can also carry out remote MIAMs for people living anywhere in the UK.
Mediation Information & Assessment Meeting (MIAM)
A MIAM is an individual meeting with each participant to discuss whether Mediation may be suitable and whether any other form of non-Court dispute resolution (NCDR) is appropriate. For many years the Court has been obliged to consider, at every stage of proceedings, whether any form of NCDR is appropriate and has placed particular emphasis on Mediation. It is increasingly recognised that Mediation can be less damaging for all concerned, particularly the children, than litigation through the Courts. The intention is to move the participants towards taking responsibility and finding solutions together rather than the Court. We have Mediators based in Lincoln, Sleaford, Boston, Gainsborough, Scunthorpe, Grimsby Nottingham, Derby, Doncaster and Sheffield. Our Mediators can also carry out MIAMs and joint Mediation sessions remotely. We carry out MIAMs and Mediation for clients across the UK.
Mediation and other forms of NCDR can cover:
- Arrangements for children
- Financial arrangements on divorce & separation (including the division of property, savings, pensions, business assets, spousal maintenance and liabilities)
- Developing better communication skills to enable the participants to work together in the future as separated parents
At a MIAM the mediator will consider:
- The safety and suitability of Mediation.
- Obtain information about the individual and family’s circumstances and issues arising from the separation.
- Provide sufficient information about the process of Mediation and other forms of family dispute resolution to enable the person attending to make informed choices about how to resolve their family issues.
- Discuss and identify next steps including the value of seeking legal advice and any other form of help and support that may benefit and signpost where appropriate.
- Consider whether it is appropriate for there to be Child Inclusive Mediation where there are children involved of a certain age. Child Inclusive Mediation is conducted by specialist Mediators and allows children to have their voices heard as part of the Mediation process. Anything a child says to a Mediator is confidential (save for safeguarding exemptions). Reports written or otherwise cannot be provided to the Court. A Mediator relays the child’s view to their parents/carers as part of the Mediation process where the child gives permission for this. The adults remain the decision makers but hearing the views of children or young people can help those adults reach decisions.
- Explain the Mediation process & what can be expected within Mediation. Often the following process is followed:
- Establish what the participants want to achieve for themselves and for their children
- Collect and share the information and documentation that will enable an informed discussion to take place, e.g., financial disclosure
- Create a range of options to consider
- Evaluate and reality test any options put forward
- Come to mutually acceptable proposals which are usually recorded in a document known as a Memorandum of Understanding
- Discuss the core principles of Mediation as follows:
- Voluntary process conducted by an impartial Mediator
- A process where decision making rests with the participants
- A process that puts the needs of children and young people first
- A process that must be safe for all
- Confidential, except where there are risks of harm or criminal activity. The Court is not able to require Mediators to disclose information about any Mediation which has taken place except where there is an overriding obligation in law.
The Court require applicants to court proceedings to attend a meeting with an authorised Family Mediator for a MIAM to discuss their options for resolving family disputes before making an application to the Court. There are some exemptions but generally there is an expectation that an applicant will attend a MIAM prior to making an application to the Court. (The main exemptions are domestic abuse, reasons of urgency, previous MIAM attendance or bankruptcy).
We can carry out MIAMs in Lincoln, Sleaford, Boston, Gainsborough, Scunthorpe, Grimsby Nottingham, Derby, Doncaster and Sheffield. We can also carry out remote MIAMs for people living anywhere in the UK.