Urgent MIAM Appointment: What You Need to Know
Do you need an urgent MIAM appointment? Perhaps a court date is approaching or you want to resolve a family dispute quickly. Either way, Family Mediation Services can help. We offer same-day, next-day, and fast MIAM appointments – all conducted remotely by video or telephone.
What is a MIAM?
A MIAM — Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting is a short, confidential meeting with an accredited mediator. Before you apply to a family court, the law generally requires you to attend one. However, a MIAM is much more than a legal formality. It is also your opportunity to explore whether mediation can resolve your dispute without the cost and stress of court.
At the MIAM, the accredited mediator assesses any risks to you and your children that might arise from participating in mediation. They also give you clear information about the mediation process and its principles. Furthermore, you discuss your situation together and explore your options, always keeping the needs of any children at the forefront.
MIAM Appointment Pricing at Family Mediation Services
We offer three pricing tiers so you can choose the speed that suits your situation:
- Same-day MIAM appointment: £185. Book before 3pm and we aim to complete your MIAM the same day (Monday to Friday).
- Fast MIAM appointment (1–2 days): £125–£165. We schedule your appointment within one to two working days.
- Standard MIAM appointment: from £85. Ideal when you have more time to plan ahead.
Simply click our ‘Book an Appointment’ link to choose your preferred slot and pay securely online.
How Does an Urgent MIAM Appointment Work?
All MIAMs at Family Mediation Services take place remotely. You choose between a secure video call or a telephone appointment — whichever suits you best. As a result, you save travel time and can join from anywhere in England or Wales.
If you book a same-day MIAM appointment, please be aware that we conduct these Monday to Friday only. Once you complete the meeting, you can request that your accredited mediator issues your MIAM certificate on the same day. This means you can proceed with a court application immediately if necessary.
Importantly, urgent MIAMs cannot take place in person. However, because every appointment is a MIAM appointment online or by telephone, most clients find this far more convenient than travelling to an office.
Why Do You Need a MIAM Before Going to Court?
MIAMs exist to reduce unnecessary court cases. Going to court is costly, stressful, and time-consuming. Mediation, by contrast, helps families reach agreements on their own terms – often far more quickly and cheaply.
Crucially, judges take a dim view of parties who skip the MIAM process without good reason. In fact, if a judge decides that you refused to engage with mediation – for instance, because you assumed the other party would not participate — they can make a costs order against you. This means you could end up paying the other side’s legal costs in addition to your own.
Therefore, attending a MIAM is not just a legal requirement. It also protects your financial position and demonstrates to the court that you approached the situation in good faith.
Contacting the Other Party After Your MIAM
After your MIAM appointment online or by telephone, you have the option to instruct us to contact the other party on your behalf. This is an important step if you want to move straight into joint mediation.
However, please be aware of one key condition: once you instruct Family Mediation Services to contact the other side, you lose the right to a MIAM fee refund. Therefore, think carefully before you give this instruction. Your accredited mediator will walk you through the implications before you make any decision.
Book Your Urgent MIAM Appointment Today
Ready to get started? Book your same-day appointment here. Family Mediation Services makes it easy to book a fast MIAM appointment at a time that works for you. Call us on 0300 365 2700 or email us at admin@familymediationservices.co.uk. Our friendly team will confirm your MIAM appointment telephone or video slot and answer any questions you have. Do not let delays put your case at risk — contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Family Mediation Services offers same-day MIAM appointments for £185. We conduct these Monday to Friday. Book before 3pm and your accredited mediator will aim to complete the meeting and, where appropiate, issue your MIAM certificate the same day.
Yes. All our MIAMs take place remotely. You can choose a MIAM appointment online via secure video call or a MIAM appointment telephone — whichever you find more convenient.
A fast MIAM appointment scheduled within one to two days costs between £125 and £165. Standard MIAM appointments start from £85. Same-day appointments are £185.
Your accredited mediator leads the session. They assess any risks, explain the mediation process, and discuss your situation with you. Together, you look at your options going forward. If children are involved, the mediator always prioritises their needs.
If you apply to court without a valid MIAM certificate, a judge can adjourn your case and order you to attend. Worse, if they decide you deliberately avoided mediation, they can issue a costs order against you – meaning you pay the other party’s legal costs.
Yes, you can instruct Family Mediation Services to contact the other side after your MIAM appointment. However, once you give this instruction, you are no longer entitled to a MIAM fee refund. Your accredited mediator will explain this fully before you decide.
Key Takeaways
- Family Mediation Services offers urgent MIAM appointments conducted remotely by video or telephone.
- A MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting) is a legal requirement before applying to court, helping assess mediation options.
- Pricing for MIAM appointments ranges from £85 for standard to £185 for same-day appointments.
- Attending a MIAM reduces unnecessary court cases and demonstrates good faith to the court.
- You can instruct Family Mediation Services to contact the other party after your MIAM, but you’ll forfeit the right to a fee refund.