What is a Mediation Initial Assessment Meeting?

Before mediation can take place we must carry out a mediation assessment.  This is also known as MIAMs (mediation initial assessment meeting).

This is an important meeting and is carried out on a one to one basis with a mediator.  We will assess the suitability of your case for mediation and also take some information about the areas in dispute.  We will also provide you with information about other ways of resolving disputes on relationship breakdown.

These meetings can take up to one hour.

How much does a Mediation Initial Assessment Meeting Cost?

Where appropriate we will firstly carry out a financial assessment to see if you are eligible for legal aid. For further details please see our Legal Aid page.

If you are not eligible for Legal Aid then you will have to pay for the assessment meeting.  Our fixed fee for this is £100 plus VAT.

Who needs to attend the Mediation Initial Assessment Meeting?

Both clients need to have their own separate assessment meeting. It is sometimes possible for these meetings to take place one after another and then an initial joint mediation session to take place on the same day. We will discuss the timings of meetings when we first speak to you on the phone.

If your ex-partner doesn’t want to take part in an assessment meeting we will, after we have made all reasonable attempts to see them, issue you with a form which will confirm you have taken part in a mediation assessment and that you were willing to mediate. This form, called an FM1 can be provided to the court if required.

We carry out mediation assessments at all of our offices and have facilities for you to bring your children with you if necessary. Unfortunately children cannot be brought to mediation sessions which follow.

Starting Family Mediation

Our specialist Family Mediation Solicitors are able to offer fast initial assessment meetings and prompt mediation sessions following the initial assessment meetings. We are able to see clients at any of our offices including Romford, Grays, Kentish Town and Barking and offer out of hours appointments for private clients.

Call our Family Mediation Solicitors now on 0844 800 9860 for a free telephone consultation or request a call back through this website.