How we can help you comply with the MIAM pre-application protocol
After 6 April 2011 The Family Procedure Rules require most parties wishing to issue “Relevant Family Proceedings” to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM)
PRACTICE DIRECTION 3A, supplementing the Family Procedure Rules 2010, sets out the MIAM requirements, and in particular:
- In Annex B – the “Relevant Family Proceedings” to which MIAM applies, and
- In Annex C – who is not expected to attend a MIAM before making an application.
Raworths Family Mediation Service has over ten years of experience of dealing with Family Mediations and can deal with MIAMs for your clients.
To use our MIAMs service:
Complete our Referral Form either online or in hardcopy. If online you can use the “submit” button at the top of the form to send it to us after completion.
Our fee for the MIAM appointment, limited to 45 minutes, is £80 + VAT (£96) per party. Prior to the date of the MIAM appointment, please will you send to us, or arrange for us to be paid, the above amount, either by:
- a cheque for £96 payable to “Raworths LLP” (if you are sending it to us please put your client’s name on the reverse of the cheque), or
- secure online payment, via WorldPay– either click here or go to the payment link at the foot of this page (coming soon)
- telephoning our accounts department to make payment by Debit or credit card
Payment must be received and processed before the MIAM takes place
We will contact your client and the other party to organise the two separate MIAM appointments
If both parties attend the MIAMs, and family mediation is considered suitable, the Family Mediation meetings will proceed as normal, and for the avoidance of doubt they will be funded separately to these arrangements.
If the Mediator assesses that mediation is not suitable he/she will complete Form FM1 and return it to you.
If the MIAM does not go ahead because the other party refuses to attend then half your client’s payment will be refunded to whoever paid us, and FORM FM1 will be completed and returned to you. The balance will be retained to cover administration costs.
If, after assessing your client’s eligibility for Public Funding, he/she is found to be entitled to Legal Aid then the initial fee of £96 will be returned in full to the payer and we will get our payment from the Legal Services Commission.
If you have any queries please contact zoe.robinson@raworths.co.uk or jo.broadhead@raworths.co.uk
