Services
MIAMs (Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings)
On 6th April, the Ministry of Justice set out a new Protocol for people considering making applications to the Family Courts.
Potential applicants for a court Order in relevant family proceedings will be expected, before making their application, except in certain specified circumstances, to consider with a mediator whether the dispute may be capable of being resolved through mediation.
The Court will expect all applicants to have attended a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting, if invited to do so. If Court proceedings are taken, the Court will wish to know at the first Hearing whether mediation has been considered by the parties.
All the mediators at the Divorce and Separation Centre are recognised by the Family Mediation Council as qualified to carry out Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings. You can come to the meeting on your own or together with your separating partner, as you choose.
The purpose of the meeting is for you to discuss your own circumstances with the mediator and for a decision to be made as to whether after that to go ahead with mediation.
Contact us on 01737 772 333 or at office@fml.uk.com if you are thinking about making an appointment to see a mediator. We will need you to give us contact details for your separating partner, because we have to invite them to come to an information meeting, either with you or on your own.
At the end of the mediation information meeting, you are free to choose whether to accept mediation. If either of you decides not to go ahead with mediation, we will give you a Form FM1 (Family Mediation and Assessment Form) signed by the mediator, as evidence that you have considered it.
If you still need to go to court for a court order in relevant family proceedings you must include the Form ‘FM1’
