Mediation In Family Law Proceedings

Since the 22^nd April 2014, the new Children and Family Act 2014 has made it compulsory for any person contemplating issuing Court proceedings in relation to a financial or child related dispute, to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM).  There are some exemptions to this rule, for example if there has been domestic violence or if the case is particularly urgent, but in the main, a MIAM will have to take place.

Mediation is a way of resolving disputes when a separating or divorcing couple are unable to agree the arrangements for their children or are unable to agree on how to resolve their finances.

Mediation must be conducted by a suitably qualified Family Mediator. We can make sure that you are referred to the right Mediator for you.

Mediation can often be very useful in helping couples reach an agreement and could avoid the need for contested lengthy, and often costly, Court proceedings.

Mediation is very effective at reaching agreements over child arrangements. Typical issues involve where the child lives, contact arrangements with the non-resident parent, schooling, holidays, financial maintenance etc.

Throughout the process, you will be encouraged to look at ways to keep the child informed that you are working together, and that the breakdown of the relationship is due solely to differences between you and your partner.

By choosing mediation, you will able to control the pace of the discussions along with identifying and solving the most important issues. You will be able to make the decision as to what is best for your children, not a Judge who does not know your family.

Mediation is also very effective at reaching agreements over financial and property affairs. Typical issues include the family home, mortgage, rental agreements, cars, home contents, bank accounts, pensions, savings etc.

The process is useful in providing each other with a comprehensive understanding of each other’s financial situation prior to any proposals reached and gives you the opportunity to seek independent legal advice before any proposals are made into a Court Order.

Once an agreement has been reached, the mediator normally prepares a Memorandum of Understanding; a document setting out the proposals and agreements made. This may then be shown to a solicitor to obtain independent legal advice.

The law states that every person must now first attend a M.I.A.M (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting) before Court proceedings are issued in family law cases. There are naturally exceptions to this rule, such as circumstances where there has been domestic violence in the relationship or there are serious child welfare concerns. This list is not exhaustive and such cases will be identified on a case-by-case basis by the mediator involved.

The M.I.A.M itself is an appointment with a mediator, who explains how mediation and the collaborative process works. It aims to highlight many of the more efficient and cost effective alternatives to Court proceedings and, in turn, alleviates some of the pressure from the judiciary.

Following on from a Mediation Information and Awareness Meeting, if you still feel that court proceedings are necessary, a Form FM1 must be obtained. A FM1 is only valid for 4 months however, so an additional M.I.A.M must be attended to if this time frame lapses.

Technically speaking, the new rules do not make mediation compulsory. The compulsory element is the attendance at a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting. As a result, you do not have to enter into mediation following on from such a meeting.