MIAM Certificate from £85
Family Mediation Services | Affordable Mediation Assessment Meetings Across the UK
Understanding Your MIAM and Why It Matters
When couples separate, the first step before going to court is usually a MIAM — a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting. At Family Mediation Services, we make this process straightforward and affordable, with our MIAM certificate from £85. During this initial meeting, a qualified, accredited mediator explains how family mediation works and assesses whether it suits your situation. As a result, you gain clarity about your options before any court proceedings begin.
Many people feel uncertain about what a mediation information and assessment meeting involves. However, you will quickly discover that it is a supportive, one-to-one session — not a confrontational hearing. Furthermore, it gives you the chance to ask questions, understand the process, and make an informed decision about your next steps.
Affordable MIAM Fees — Starting from Just £85
At Family Mediation Services, we keep our mediation assessment meeting fees as low as possible. Our MIAM starts from only £85, making professional family mediation accessible to everyone. In addition, once you attend your MIAM mediation session, you can apply for the government’s family mediation voucher scheme, which typically covers the cost of your next two joint mediation sessions — saving you up to £500.
Moreover, if you qualify for legal aid because you are on a low income, all of your mediation fees will be covered at no cost to you. Therefore, financial barriers should not stop anyone from attending a family mediation meeting. Either way, you will receive a MIAM certificate at the conclusion of the process, which you can use if you later need to apply to the family court.
To summarise your fee options at a glance:
- Standard MIAM fee: from £85 per person
- Government mediation voucher: covers up to two joint sessions (worth approx. £500)
- Legal aid: full fee coverage available for those who qualify
Why Attendance at a MIAM Is Compulsory
Court rules make attendance at a MIAM compulsory before you can apply for most family court orders in England and Wales. Consequently, you must attend a mediation information and assessment meeting before a judge will consider your application. The MIAM certificate you receive afterwards remains valid for four months. This certificate demonstrates to the court that you have genuinely considered mediation with the guidance of an accredited mediator at Family Mediation Services.
Even so, attending a MIAM does not mean you must proceed to full mediation. Instead, it simply ensures that both parties have explored whether mediation could resolve their dispute. In many cases, couples find that mediation works well and choose to continue — avoiding the stress and expense of court altogether.
What Happens at a MIAM Mediation Meeting?
A MIAM mediation meeting goes beyond a legal formality. It gives you the opportunity to learn how family mediation could benefit you, your children, and your ex-partner. During the session, your accredited mediator will listen carefully to your circumstances and explain what the mediation process looks like in practice.
Specifically, a MIAM mediation aims to:
- Explain the principles and benefits of family mediation
- Assess whether your situation is suitable for joint mediation sessions
- Outline how a written agreement can be reached without going to court
- Identify any safeguarding or risk concerns before sessions begin
By starting with a mediation assessment, you give yourself the best possible chance of resolving family matters outside of court — saving time, money, and emotional energy for everyone involved. Additionally, agreements reached through mediation tend to last longer because both parties actively shape the outcome.
The Role of Your Accredited Mediator
Your accredited mediator plays a central role throughout the MIAM and any subsequent sessions. First and foremost, they carry out a risk and safeguarding assessment at the MIAM meeting. Together, you then decide whether it is most appropriate to meet in the same room, in separate rooms, or virtually via video call.
At Family Mediation Services, we offer remote MIAM mediation for clients where meeting in person is not practical or safe. This flexible approach makes the mediation assessment process accessible to everyone, regardless of location or personal circumstances. Furthermore, our accredited mediators hold recognised qualifications and follow the Family Mediation Council’s Code of Practice, so you can trust that you are in safe, professional hands.
In addition to conducting the risk assessment, your mediator will explain the difference between shuttle mediation — where you remain in separate rooms — and joint sessions, where both parties meet together. They will recommend the most suitable format based on your individual situation.
How to Get Your MIAM Certificate from £85
Getting your MIAM certificate from £85 with Family Mediation Services is straightforward. First, contact us to book your mediation information and assessment meeting at a time that suits you. Next, attend your one-to-one MIAM with one of our accredited mediators — either in person or online. Afterwards, if mediation is suitable, we guide you into joint sessions and support you towards a workable agreement. Finally, you receive your official MIAM certificate, ready for use if needed.
Because we offer both in-person and remote appointments, you can access our affordable mediation assessment meeting wherever you are in England and Wales. Furthermore, our team responds quickly so you are never left waiting when time matters.
Book Your MIAM Today — From Just £85
Do not let cost or confusion hold you back. Family Mediation Services is here to guide you through every step — from your very first MIAM mediation session to a final agreement. Our MIAM certificate from £85 is your affordable, professional starting point. Call us today on 0300 365 2700 or email at admin@familymediationservices.co.uk or complete our online enquiry form to book your mediation information and assessment meeting with an accredited mediator. Take the first step towards a calmer, more cost-effective resolution for your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
A MIAM certificate is an official document that confirms you attended a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting with an accredited mediator. Family courts require this certificate before they accept most applications for family court orders. Therefore, you must obtain one before a judge will hear your case. At Family Mediation Services, we issue your certificate immediately after your mediation assessment meeting.
Our MIAM starts from just £85 per person, making it one of the most affordable options available. In addition, the government mediation voucher scheme can cover up to two joint sessions once you complete your MIAM. If you qualify for legal aid, your fees may be entirely free. Contact us to confirm which funding options apply to your situation.
Yes, attendance at a MIAM is compulsory in England and Wales before you apply for most family court orders, including child arrangements and financial remedy orders. The court will not process your application without a valid MIAM certificate. The certificate remains valid for four months from the date of your meeting.
Yes. Family Mediation Services offers remote MIAM mediation via secure video call. This flexible option suits clients who cannot travel, live far from our offices, or simply prefer the convenience of an online meeting. Our accredited mediators conduct remote sessions with the same care and professionalism as in-person appointments.
Your accredited mediator will explain how family mediation works, carry out a risk and safeguarding assessment, and discuss whether joint or separate mediation sessions suit your circumstances. They will also outline how a written agreement could resolve your dispute without court involvement. The meeting typically lasts around 45 to 60 minutes.
Your accredited mediator will explain how family mediation works, carry out a risk and safeguarding assessment, and discuss whether joint or separate mediation sessions suit your circumstances. They will also outline how a written agreement could resolve your dispute without court involvement. The meeting typically lasts around 45 to 60 minutes.
A MIAM mediation meeting usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes. During this time, your accredited mediator will gather information about your situation, explain the mediation process, and assess suitability. Family Mediation Services keeps the process efficient and straightforward so you can make informed decisions quickly.
Yes. Once you attend your MIAM at Family Mediation Services, you can apply for the government’s family mediation voucher scheme. This scheme contributes towards the cost of your joint mediation sessions — typically covering two sessions. As a result, many families pay little or nothing beyond the initial MIAM fee of £85.
Key Takeaways
- A MIAM certificate from £85 is essential before applying for family court orders in England and Wales.
- Family Mediation Services offers affordable MIAM meetings, ensuring accessibility for everyone.
- The meeting provides clarity on the mediation process and assesses suitability for joint mediation sessions.
- Government mediation vouchers can cover up to two joint sessions, while legal aid may cover all fees for those who qualify.
- You can attend the MIAM in person or online, making it convenient to access vital mediation services.