Service Description

The process of family mediation begins by you attending an initial mediation information and assessment meeting (MIAM). • It is usual for the initial MIAM to be conducted on an entirely separate basis. This will involve you and the mediator discussing your personal situation on a confidential basis without your former partner in the room. • Your mediator will assess the issues to be mediated upon from the information provided by each person during the meeting(s). • Your mediator will ask you questions related to domestic abuse and child protection issues. This will enable the mediator to decide whether mediation is safe. • Your mediator will provide information about the options available to you to resolve the issues surrounding your separation. They will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each option with you. • You will have an opportunity to decide whether going to court would be the best way of resolving the issues surrounding your relationship or marriage breakdown (e.g. children, property and financial issues), or whether mediation would be a safe and effective alternative. • If the mediator decides that mediation would be a safe and effective option in your particular situation, it will be up to you and your ex-partner to choose whether to try mediation or not. Meditation is always voluntary. • Where appropriate, your mediator will assess eligibility for Legal Aid and advise on cost and time scales for mediation. • If you decide that you don’t want to mediate or if mediation is not suitable in your circumstances, then the mediator will sign your court application form to confirm that you have attended but that mediation is not going ahead.