How it works

Stage 1: Assessment (MIAM)

If you are referring yourself the first stage is to contact us to make an appointment to see a mediator.  This initial appointment is known as an assessment or MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting).  If your solicitor has referred you we will contact you directly.

The assessment (MIAM) appointment lasts about forty-five minutes and is a chance for you to sit down with a mediator to talk about your case and to find out more about how mediation works and the likely costs.  The mediator will also check whether you are eligible for legal aid.  If you are eligible then all your mediation will be free.  The mediator will answer any questions you have about how mediation works and the alternatives to mediation.
Following your assessment, we will contact your ex-partner to see whether they would like to come in for a similar meeting, on their own, with the same mediator.

Stage 2: Decision about Mediation

After you have both had your assessments you can then decide whether you think mediation is for you.  If you would both like to go ahead with mediation, arrangements will be made regarding payment (if you have fees to pay) and your first mediation session will be set up.  If you don’t wish to go ahead, or if your ex-partner doesn’t want to come to an assessment,  we will provide you with a FM1 form which you will need if you intend to go to Court.

Stage 3: Mediation

Each mediation session lasts an hour and a half.  You will usually be together in the same room with the mediator and your ex-partner, working through the issues to be discussed.  Mediation sessions usually follow an agenda but are relatively informal – we use first names all the way through mediation.

A children case usually takes around two sessions and cases involving financial matters take around three or four sessions.  For financial information you will need to do some ‘homework’ collecting documents – all this will be explained by the mediator.  You may be advised to take legal or financial advice to help your discussions in mediation and to help you come to mutually agreed decisions.

On average a mediation case involving financial decisions lasts about two-three months.  Cases involving only children matters can be dealt with a lot quicker.

Stage 4: Recording the Outcome

You have now completed the ‘face to face’ part of mediation.  The next stage involves the mediator drawing up a record of the proposals you reached.  These documents are usually sent out within two weeks of the completion of your mediation.  The documents can be used as the basis of a legal agreement between you and your ex-partner – a solicitor will help you with this, if required.

Stage 5: Feedback

Following your mediation we will write to ask you for feedback about your experience in mediation.  This can be completed online.  We use the information gathered to help us improve our service.