mediation information and assessment meetings [MIAMS]
In April 2011 new procedures were introduced to encourage all parties to try to solve their disagreements prior to Court proceedings being issued. Anyone making an application to the Court for either financial arrangements following relationship breakdown, or regarding parenting issues such as contact and residence orders, should show that they have tried their hardest to settle matters without involving the Court. To do this each person making an application to the Court is asked to submit a Form FM1. The FM1 can only be issued by a mediator who has been trained in mediation information and assessment meetings [MIAMS] and is authorised to sign the forms. All mediators at Laceys hold this qualification.
The mediation information and assessment meeting [MIAM] is a meeting with a mediator who will explain not only about mediation but also the other alternatives available to parties, such as collaborative law, having a solicitor represent them and going to Court. [Laceys is able to help on all of the above options]
At the mediation information and assessment meeting [MIAM] the mediator will not only explain the mediation process but will also assess to see if you are eligible for legal aid for mediation. The majority of cases are suitable for mediation but mediation is voluntary and if you do not wish to mediate you will still be issued with an FM1. Mediation is considered one of the first ways of trying to find a solution to your problem and is covered in some detail elsewhere on this website.
If you are eligible [and can provide documentary evidence to support this] there will be no charge for your mediation information and assessment meeting [MIAM] as the cost will be covered by the Legal Services Commission. Even if you are not eligible for legal aid yourself, if your partner to the mediation is eligible and attends a mediation information and assessment meeting [MIAM] – either with you or on their own – then you will not be charged for your mediation information and assessment meeting [MIAM]. If you have already been to see us and paid for your appointment and the other party is subsequently found to be eligible for legal aid, your fee will be returned to you or credited from your first mediation session.
The costs of the mediation information and assessment meeting [MIAM] is £100
inclusive of VAT if seen separately and £150 inclusive of VAT if seen
together unless either one of you is eligible for legal aid, in which case
the mediation information and assessment meeting [MIAM] will be free of charge.
If you are assessed as not eligible for legal aid you will need to pay for
any subsequent mediation even if the other party to the mediation receives
legal aid. The cost of the mediation information and assessment meeting [MIAM]
includes the Form FM1 and the cost of sending this to your solicitor, if requested.