Family Mediation North East
Family Mediation North East
CONTACT CENTRES
CONTACT CENTRES
WELFARE BENEFITS
WELFARE BENEFITS
WELFARE BENEFITS
WELFARE BENEFITS
MIAM
A Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) is a vital first step for anyone looking to resolve family disputes through mediation. This meeting is often required before applying to court for issues such as child arrangements, financial disputes, or property matters.
​
During a MIAM, an accredited FMCA mediator will:
-
Explain how family mediation works and its benefits.
-
Assess whether mediation is suitable for your situation.
-
Provide the signed C100 form or Form A if requested.
Why is a MIAM Important?
A MIAM ensures that all parties understand their options and encourages resolving disputes outside of court whenever possible. Mediation is quicker, more cost-effective, and less stressful than court proceedings.
WHY CHOOSE PAX MEDIATION FOR YOUR MIAM?
​At Pax Mediation, we make the MIAM process simple, supportive, and efficient. Families across Newcastle, Northumberland, Gateshead, and the UK trust us because:
-
Next-Day Appointments: We understand time is critical, so we offer next-day MIAM bookings to avoid unnecessary delays.
-
Same-Day Certification: After your MIAM, you'll receive the signed court forms (eg. c100 form or FormA) the same day, ensuring you can proceed quickly if required.
-
Experienced Mediators: Our team brings over 50 years of combined mediation experience, making us one of the most trusted family mediation providers in the region.
-
Flexible Options: Whether you prefer an in-person MIAM or an online MIAM, we cater to your convenience.
-
Legal Aid Support: We hold a Legal Aid contract, meaning eligible clients can access free MIAMs and mediation services.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING A MIAM?
​The mediator will:
-
give you lots of information about the mediation process and the alternatives,
-
signpost you to alternative services that may be helpful such as the Department for Work and Pensions, Citizens Advice Bureau, Housing and Domestic Abuse organisations to name but a few,
-
also ask lots of questions about the circumstances in order to assess suitability,
-
and discuss how many sessions you may need and how much they would cost.
​
The mediation meeting usually lasts around 45 minutes. It is entirely confidential, subject to certain exceptions such as child protection but we would not be sharing anything discussed in the meeting with the other party.
​
If you decide you would like to try mediation, we will get in touch with the other person, inviting them to attend their own MIAM with the same mediator. If you are both willing and mediation is suitable we would organise a first mediation session for you both. If you decide you don’t want to mediate or the other party doesn’t wish to attend, we’ll post you the court certificate immediately to enable you to make a court application.
WHO NEEDS A MIAM?
Most people applying to court for family matters are legally required to attend a MIAM. This includes applications for:
​
-
Child Arrangements Orders
-
Prohibited Steps Orders
-
Specific Issue Orders
-
Financial Orders
Exemptions may apply in cases of:
-
Domestic Abuse
-
Child Protection Concerns
-
Emergency Situations.
If you’re unsure whether you need a MIAM, our team can guide you.
HOW TO BOOK A MIAM
Booking your MIAM with Pax Mediation is quick and easy:
​
-
Contact Us: Use our online booking form or call our friendly team.
-
Choose Your Format: Select either an in-person MIAM at one of our offices or an online MIAM.
-
Receive Your Certification: After your MIAM, we’ll provide the signed court form (C100 or Form A) the same day, when requested, so you can proceed without delay.​
FACE TO FACE MIAM
-
Do you need to attend a MIAM and want to meet with someone face-to-face?
-
We offer in-person mediation meetings at multiple locations in the Northumberland, Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, and North Shields areas.
-
All of our offices are conveniently located near excellent transport links and parking facilities.
-
Please see our locations page for more details about each of our different venues.
-
We offer face-to-face appointments for £150, which includes VAT, and we do not charge for any court forms or MIAM certificates you may need.
-
Legal Aid is available for family mediation. If you are eligible there is no charge for MIAM nor any subsequent mediation sessions.
ONLINE MIAM
-
Since 2012 we have been a leader of online family mediation. We have extensive experience in helping people reach an agreement online.
-
If you are looking to attend a MIAM but are unable to find a local mediator who can meet with you soon enough or you cannot take time off work to visit one, we can help.
-
If you have childcare issues it can be challenging to attend a face-to-face appointment but that's not an issue with an online appointment.
-
Our online service allows you to meet with us over a video call using your computer, tablet, or smartphone. All you need is a reliable internet connection and a private space.
-
If you are eligible, Legal Aid is available for family mediation, which means that there will be no charge for your MIAM or any subsequent mediation sessions.
-
We offer online mediation meetings for £130, which includes VAT, and we do not charge for any court forms you may need.
BENEFITS OF MEDIATION
Family mediation is more than just a legal requirement—it’s a better way to resolve disputes. Here’s why:
-
Cost-Effective. Mediation is far cheaper than court proceedings, saving you thousands in legal fees.
-
Faster Resolution. While court cases can take months or years, mediation often resolves disputes in weeks.
-
Child-Focused. Mediation prioritises the well-being of children, ensuring solutions that work for the whole family.
-
Less Stressful. Mediation fosters open communication and reduces conflict, creating a calmer environment for resolving disputes.
-
Stay in Control. Unlike court, where decisions are made by a judge, mediation allows you to create agreements tailored to your family’s needs.
"The MIAM was quick and stress-free, and the mediator’s support made everything clear and easy to follow."
"Thanks to Pax Mediation, we avoided the time and cost of court. The process was smooth, and we felt in control the entire time."
"Receiving the signed court form on the same day saved us so much hassle. Highly recommend this service."
Start Your Mediation Journey Today
Ready to take the first step toward resolving your family dispute? At Pax Mediation, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Book your MIAM today and let us help you create a brighter future for your family.
​
Contact Us Today
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. How much does a MIAM cost?
ONLINE - Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting - £130
FACE TO FACE - Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting - £150
OUT OF HOURS - Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting - £200
C100/FORMA - Court Form - FREE
2. How much does a mediator cost in the UK?
The Family Mediation Council states that the average family mediation cost is £140 per hour. At Pax Mediation we have competitive pricing. We also offer Legal Aid which means if you are eligible mediation is completely FREE. Please see our Fees and Legal Aid page for more information. We are also authorised to provide the Ministry of Justice Mediation Voucher Scheme. Under this scheme, the government will contribute up to £500 per case/family to the mediation costs of a child arrangements case.
3. Do both parties attend a MIAM?
Not together. The first party attends their MIAM and if they are willing and mediation is suitable we will invite the other party to attend a separate MIAM.
4. What is the difference between mediation and a MIAM?
'MIAM' stands for Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting. It is a meeting where a mediator will provide you with information on mediation and discuss with you whether mediation or another form of family dispute resolution is suitable for you given your circumstances. Family mediation is a process in which an independent, professionally trained mediator helps you work out arrangements for your children and/or finances following separation.
5. What if my ex refuses mediation?
It's quite common for someone to first refuse mediation, this is often due to a misunderstanding of what mediation is. Part of our role at Pax Mediation is to provide information and talk to your ex about the benefits of mediation for you both so they can make an informed decision about whether they wish to mediate. It is also expected, as part of the Family Court Practice directions, for both parties to attend MIAMs.
6. What are the 3 types of mediation?
Children Mediation, Property and Finance Mediation and All Issues Mediation.
7. Can I skip mediation and go straight to court?
No. Before you make a court application you will usually need to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM). There are some exceptions to this requirement such as where there are child protection concerns or domestic abuse but for most people this a required step. This does not mean that you must attend mediation itself, just consider it as part of your options.
8. What if one party does not agree to mediation?
Mediation is a voluntary process. It only proceeds if both parties are willing and mediation is suitable.
Will it look bad if I refuse to go to mediation?
In your confidential Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) you get to decide if you wish to proceed with mediation or not. Reasons for your decision are confidential to you so will not impact any other options.
9. What not to say in a mediation meeting?
You should be open and honest. Honesty is key to ensuring that any arrangements last. Consider the future. Nothing can be done about the past and mediation is about making arrangements for now and for the future. Be prepared to compromise. Negotiation involves flexibility. Come prepared to discuss several options and how each might work. Forget about scoring points. Heated emotions in the session are understandable. The mediator is there to ensure you have an opportunity to have productive discussions that you are comfortable with by actively engaging in the process to create the opportunity to make the best possible arrangements. It is important to try to set aside any statements calculated to hurt or score points.
10. Is there a downside to mediation?
Mediation has many advantages over litigation. Generally speaking, it is faster, easier and more cost effective. However, it's not a magic wand and cannot work in all situations. This is because both parties must be willing and the mediator must assess a mediation process as suitable in all the circumstances. In mediation you are your own advocate. Not everyone comes prepared for mediation, but our skilled mediators are trained to help keep you on track.
11. What is the most difficult part of mediation?
People in conflict often have strong emotions and fixed views. They may struggle to trust each other, the mediator or the process. Therefore, it is not uncommon for people to refuse mediation. Part of our role at Pax Mediation is to provide information about the mediation process to everyone involved so they can make an informed decision about whether mediation is something that could work for them.
12. Why is court better than mediation?
Family mediation is often the ideal solution for resolving disputes related to children's arrangements. It's a quick, affordable, and effective way to ensure long-lasting arrangements. However, there are some cases where mediation may not be appropriate, such as those involving domestic abuse, child protection, or ongoing criminal proceedings. Family court can conduct fact finding hearings and provide information to help parties or the court to make final decisions.
13. When should mediation not be used?
In a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) the mediator will ask lots of questions to assess for suitability of mediation. There are some circumstances in which mediation may not be suitable even if a client says they are willing. If there are current child protection and domestic violence concerns this may mean that mediation is unsuitable. The confidential MIAM is a safe opportunity to discuss such concerns and suitability.
14. What cases cannot be mediated?
Family mediation works for most people, but it isn't right for everyone. It may not work, for example, if:
- someone's safety is at risk, or
- if there are child protection or
- domestic abuse matters or
- if your dispute is about financial issues and you or your ex-partner are bankrupt or
- you don't know where your ex is and you cannot contact them.
15. Do I need legal advice before mediation?
You can attend mediation without going to a solicitor. However, it is always a good idea to seek legal advice if you can. Legal advice may be helpful for making decisions connected with the mediation discussions, considering any proposed agreement reached through mediation or turning the mediated agreement into a legally binding document such as a court order by consent.
16. What are the risks of mediation?
Family mediation is generally a great option for most people. One of the great things about family mediation is that you remain in control of decision making about your children, and or your finances, and you decide what happens. The flipside of this is of course that as you remain in control, it's up to you and the other party whether you reach an agreement and so any result is not guaranteed.
17. What are the 7 stages of mediation?
1. Referral.
2. First client attends a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) to assess for willingness and suitability.
3. Second client attends a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) to assess for willingness and suitability.
Both parties then attend a first mediation meeting where they:
4. Set the agenda for the mediation.
5. Explore the issues identified.
6. Reach an agreement.
7. Agreement recorded by the mediator.
18. What are the 5 steps of mediation?
1. Preparing the arena.
2. Setting the agenda.
3. Exploring the issues.
4. Securing an agreement.
5. Recording the agreement.
19. What is the golden rule of mediation?
There are several principles of mediation which are vital to the process. It is voluntary. It is confidential. Mediators are impartial.
20. Can a mediator force parties to settle?
Absolutely not. It is an important principle of mediation that mediation is voluntary. One of the reasons family mediations produce such long-lasting agreements is because parties voluntarily generate their own agreements; nobody forced them, and in consequence generally stick to those arrangements agreed.