Quick answer · The MIAM series
MIAM vs mediation: what is the difference?
The short answer
A MIAM is a one off, individual assessment meeting with a mediator, and it is required by law before most family court applications. Mediation is the joint process that may follow, and it is always voluntary. Attending a MIAM commits you to nothing: you can attend one and never mediate.
Side by side
| MIAM | Mediation | |
|---|---|---|
| Who attends | You alone, with the mediator | Both of you, with the mediator |
| Length | 45 to 60 minutes, once | Usually two to four sessions |
| Purpose | Information and suitability assessment | Reaching agreement on children or finances |
| Legal status | Required before most court applications | Entirely voluntary |
| Typical cost | Around 130 to 150 pounds each | FMC survey average 216 pounds per person per session |
| What you leave with | Signed MIAM section on your court form | Memorandum of understanding and, for finances, an open financial statement |
Why the distinction matters
The law, section 10 of the Children and Families Act 2014, requires attendance at a MIAM before most family court applications. It does not, and cannot, require you to mediate. That difference is the whole design: the MIAM makes sure you know your options before litigating, and what you do with that knowledge stays your choice.
Funding follows the same split. Legal aid can cover both the MIAM and mediation if you qualify. The 500 pound government voucher covers mediation sessions in cases involving children, but not the MIAM itself.
Quick questions
Does attending a MIAM commit me to mediation?
No. The MIAM is an assessment and information meeting. If mediation is unsuitable or you simply do not want it, the mediator signs your court form and you choose your route.
Can we start mediation without a MIAM?
In practice, no. Mediators begin every case with individual intake meetings, and where court might follow, that first meeting doubles as your MIAM, so nothing is wasted.
Keep reading
Sources: Section 10, Children and Families Act 2014; Family Mediation Council survey data. Checked 17 July 2026.
Written by the Mediation Guide editorial team and reviewed by an FMC accredited family mediator. Part of our complete MIAM guide.