Mediation described step by step. Part 4, what happens at a MIAM?Family mediation is here to stay. But how does it work? What actually happens? How can you make sure the settlements reached are fair, and what do couples who mediate have to do? The purpose of this 12-part series is to attempt to answer those questions specifically – at least as it applies for those who choose New Landscape Mediation to help them create their solutions. Whether we are working with clients from our main offices near Stansted airport in Essex, our offices in central London, or in Cambridge, this series of blogs will better help you to understand how we go about saving our clients up to £20,000 each over a more traditional, solicitor led settlement solution.

Here in part 4 of this series I will describe what you can expect to happen during the initial, pre-mediation MIAM meeting.

There is much information out there (including on our website) as to the purpose of the MIAM, but what actually happens at one? The meeting, which is set in a neutral and professional location and will be directly between yourself and your mediator. If you wish for a third party to come along to support you that is fine, but please note that they won’t be able to come with you if/when we begin mediating a solution with your former partner.

The meeting will begin with your mediator explaining the confidentiality policy, and gathering your identification and Client Information Form that, hopefully, you’ll have completed before the meeting. For the next hour you’ll be able to discuss in confidence the situation as you see it, and the type of solution you are hoping to ultimately achieve in mediation. For some, this conversation will revolve around finances, for others it will be all about the children. And, for many it will be about the concerns and needs regarding both of these very important issues.

This conversation will enable you to evaluate your mediator and ensure that you’re comfortable with them, and that they truly understand your needs and perspective. At the same time, your mediator will be making sure that mediation is the best method for you of reaching a solution. If for any reason we feel that it isn’t, we’ll tell you straight out, but will provide positive direction for you so that you will know what you can do next instead. Either way, you will walk out of your MIAM with a clear understanding of your options, and of how mediation can work for you.

But this isn’t the end of the story by any means, what happens immediately after your MIAM is every bit as important as what happens during it. The next blog in this series will describe what we do next, in the background on your behalf. If you would like more information about any aspect of this series, please contact our offices on 01279 211 657 or send us an email for a fully confidential discussion of your needs.