Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings (MIAMS)

Separating or divorcing clients are now legally required to consider mediation before going to the Family Court with disputes about finances or arrangements for children. This means attending a  Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) to find out how family mediation works, whether it is suitable, or not,  and to hear about other services that may help. This meeting will be held in the mediation rooms at 67-69 Widmore Road, Bromley Kent, BR1 3AA, or at 25 Beadon Road, Bromley, Kent, BR2 9AS.

Suzanna Stein is qualified to undertake MIAMS and her details appear on the Ministry of Justice Website for the Family Mediation Helpline.  You and your ex partner (unless there is a suitable exemption ) will be asked to attend the MIAM separately. The cost for each individual MIAM is £120, payable in advance before the session.  If mediation is suitable we can then arrange mediation: if it is not, the mediator will sign the relevant court form and you can give this to your  solicitor. Court Forms which can be signed by the Mediator are:  Form FM1, Form B, Form A1, Form A, Form C 100. The fee for the signed court form is £30  The court will need to see this with your application.

Mediation is recommended by the Ministry of Justice  to encourage parties to settle disputes informally where this is appropriate, rather than going through expensive and  lengthy court procedures. However for some disputes  a court resolution is  appropriate.

'FAMILY MEDIATION CAN HELP SOME PEOPLE REACH A RESOLUTION WHERE THERE IS A FAMILY DISPUTE. IT CAN HELP IN PRIVATE LAW DISPUTES BETWEEN PARENTS RELATING TO CHILDREN WITH SUCH DISPUTES OFTEN BEST RESOLVED THROUGH DISCUSSION AND AGREEMENT  WHERE THAT CAN BE MANAGED SAFELY AND APPROPRIATELY.'

Guidance for Her Majesty's Court Service taken from the Ministry of Justice Pre- application protocol for family mediation information and assessment meetings Page 3, 2011

Legal Aid ( if eligible)  is available for family mediation, from family mediators who offer this service. It is not at present offered by Suzanna Stein, who sees clients privately.

Useful Information on mediation is provided on these websites:

http://www.direct.gov.uk

Search 'Family Mediation' for general information

http://legalaidcalculator.justice.gov.uk/calculators/eligiCalc?execution=e3s1

useful for checking eligibility for legal aid.

www.justice.gov.uk/courts/mediation

www.youtube.com/user/ministryofjusticeuk

www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk