ONLINE MEDIATION INFORMATION AND ASSESSMENT MEETING
CLICK HERE TO DISCOVER HOW TO GET UP TO £500 PER COUPLE TOWARDS COSTS REGARDLESS OF INCOME
The family mediation voucher scheme is a time-limited government scheme, designed to support participants who may be able to resolve their family law disputes outside of court.
To support this, a financial contribution of up to £500 towards the costs of mediation will be provided, if eligible.
The vouchers are available where children are considered as part of the mediation process and can only be applied for once you have both attended a mediation information and assessment meeting.
THERE ARE NO FINANCIAL STIPULATIONS FOR THIS SCHEME.
Further information can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/family-mediation-voucher-scheme. There is no guarantee that funds will be available and will need to be checked when you are ready to proceed after your initial mediation information and assessment meetings.
At present, funds are still available.
The first step towards starting family mediation is to undertake a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (a MIAM). This takes place on your own, online, and takes up to an hour. What is a MIAM? The MIAM process is an opportunity for the mediator to assess whether mediation is suitable and for you to assess whether it is something that you wish to do. During the MIAM, the mediator will go through all non court options with you, not just mediation.
HAVE A LOOK AT THE VIDEO BELOW BY THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER TO LEARN WHETHER FAMILY MEDIATION CAN HELP YOU SAFELY.
Family Mediation – more affordable, flexible and effective for families going through separation.
An independent, impartial professional family mediator can help you both look at better options to find the best way forward.
YOU REACH YOUR OWN DECISIONS TOGETHER ON EVERYTHING THAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU
DO YOU NEED A MIAM?
MEDIATION INFORMATION AND ASSESSMENT MEETINGS (A MIAM) ARE COMPULSORY IN ENGLAND AND WALES WHEN MAKING A COURT APPLICATION, UNLESS AN EXEMPTION APPLIES.
Since April 2024, the Courts can award costs against anyone refusing to consider a non court form of resolution.
THE PURPOSE OF A MIAM
To provide an opportunity to discover better, more cost-effective ways to deal with your matter without Court. This includes family mediation.
So, if you apply to Court for:
- private law proceedings relating to children; or
- a financial or property remedy following separation or divorce
YOU WILL NEED TO ATTEND A MIAM WITH A FAMILY MEDIATION COUNCIL ACCREDITED MEDIATOR.
The Courts expect the other person to attend a meeting if asked to do so. If the other person refuses, this may delay matters for you at court.
If, after attending a MIAM, you still want to proceed to court, ask your mediator for a certificate. This certificate accompanies your court application.
Only mediators accredited by the Family Mediation Council (FMC) issue court certificates. An Accredited Family Mediator is known as an “FMCA”.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FMC ON THE BUTTON BELOW.
MIAM PROCESS WITH US
A MIAM TAKES UP TO AN HOUR AND CONVENIENTLY TAKES PLACE VIA ZOOM.
- If you haven’t used Zoom previously, the procedure is straightforward. A link is forwarded prior to your meeting so you can check that all is working.
- An online MIAM enables you to hold the meeting in the comfort of your own home. This is confidential and will take place with you alone.
- During your meeting, the mediator will listen to what you hope to achieve and discuss all options to help you resolve your matters.
- It is important you are each aware of all the different ways forward so you can both agree the best way for you.
- Once you have had your meeting, the other person is invited to attend their own meeting. This will be discussed with you further, in confidence, at your own meeting.
- If, for any reason, it isn’t appropriate to contact the other person, you can request a certificate if you wish to proceed to court.
To book your MIAM, please click the button below to complete our Participant Questionnaire with information we need to process your application. The information we require is confidential and will not be shared, sold or passed onto anyone.
WE WILL CONTACT YOU TO ARRANGE AN APPOINTMENT WITHIN TWO WORKING DAYS.
WE DO NOT OFFER LEGAL AID FOR FAMILY MEDIATION. CLICK HERE IF YOU THINK THIS IS APPLICABLE
WE DO NOT OFFER LEGAL AID.
If you think this is applicable, or you think your ex-partner may qualify for legal aid, please have a look at the Family Mediation Council to source an alternative provider. If you or the other participant potentially qualify for legal aid, then both of you will receive your initial assessment meetings funded by the Legal Aid Agency, as well as your initial joint session.
If you attend a mediation information and assessment meeting with us and the other person is willing to attend a mediation information and assessment meeting and potentially qualifies for legal aid, you will need to attend a further assessment meeting with the legal aid provider.
The Family Mediation Council contains a wealth of information about family mediation.
Legal aid takes into account capital as well as income so you will need to know the value of any property, together with your outstanding mortgage, before you can be assessed for legal aid.
Generally speaking, if you are on certain benefits, i.e. Universal Credit, and your capital limits are below the threshhold, then chances are you will qualify for legal aid.
If you wish to check your eligibility, please go to: Legal Aid Agency
FMC Accredited
Member of Resolution
