Last updated: July 2026
by Jess Knauf, Director of Client Strategy at Mediate UK. Reviewed by Belinda Atkins, Managing Director, Family Legal Ltd, in line with our editorial standards.
Key Highlights
- Yes, you need a MIAM before filing a C100 in most cases, unless you qualify for a valid exemption.
- A MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting) is a legal requirement under the Family Procedure Rules.
- The meeting typically takes 45 minutes to an hour and costs £115 + VAT for a standard MIAM, or £185 + VAT for an urgent one, and is covered in full if you qualify for legal aid.
- There are 15 recognised exemptions, including domestic abuse, child protection concerns and urgent cases.
- You will receive a signed MIAM section of your C100 (or an FM1), valid for 4 months, to submit with your application.
- Even if mediation is not suitable, attending the MIAM fulfils your legal obligation to consider alternatives to court.
MIAM Before a C100
You must attend a MIAM before filing a C100 to apply for a child arrangements, prohibited steps or specific issue order, unless a valid exemption applies. The mediator signs the MIAM section of your C100, or gives you an FM1, so the court will accept your application. Your signed form is valid for 4 months.
Do You Need a MIAM for a C100? The Point Most People Get Wrong
YES, you need a MIAM
if you are filing a contested C100 for a child arrangements, prohibited steps or specific issue order, where you need the court to decide.
NO, you do not need a MIAM
if you are applying for a child arrangements order by consent (you and the other parent already agree), because a consent application is exempt from the MIAM requirement.
On the form itself this is question A5 on page 5 of the C100: “Are you applying for an order to formalise an agreement (consent order)?” If you tick Yes, you attach your draft agreement signed by both parties for the court to consider making legally binding, and you do not need a MIAM.
Understanding the MIAM Requirement for C100 Applications
If you are considering making a C100 application to the court about your children, you will hear the word MIAM come up. The question that usually follows is “do I need a MIAM before a C100?” This is not just a suggestion, it is a legal requirement introduced in 2014 to encourage parents to try resolving disputes without going to court.
The reason behind the requirement is simple. Court proceedings can be lengthy, expensive and stressful for everyone involved, particularly children. When parents can reach agreements through mediation, the arrangements tend to work better in the long term because both parents have had input into the decision.
“We see this time and again at Mediate UK. Parents who come to us thinking court is their only option often find that mediation gives them more control over the outcome. We worked with a couple who were adamant they needed a judge to decide their parenting arrangements. After just two mediation sessions they had created a schedule that worked far better than any court order could have, because it fitted around their work patterns and their children’s activities.”
Jess Knauf, Director of Client Strategy, Mediate UK
What Exactly Is a MIAM?
A MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting) is your first meeting with a qualified family mediator. It is not mediation itself, but an information session, lasting 45 minutes to an hour, where the mediator explains how mediation works, discusses your situation, assesses whether mediation is suitable, answers your questions, and explains your other options including the court process. You attend on your own, so you can speak freely, and the meeting is completely confidential.
When Do You Need a MIAM Before a C100?
You must attend a MIAM before applying to court if you are making an application for:
- Child arrangements orders (deciding where your child lives and how much time they spend with each parent).
- Prohibited steps orders (preventing the other parent from taking certain actions, such as removing your child from school or taking them abroad).
- Specific issue orders (resolving disagreements about your child’s upbringing, such as education, medical treatment or religion).
All of these applications are made using a C100 form. The requirement to attend a MIAM applies whether you are the person making the application (the applicant) or the person responding to it (the respondent), unless the application is made by consent.
Need a MIAM before your C100?
We can help with your parenting dispute, or with a divorce, separation or legal advice. Book a MIAM to get started, or arrange a free 15-minute call to talk it through first.
Are There Exemptions to the MIAM Requirement?
Yes. There are 15 recognised exemptions where you do not need to attend a MIAM before filing your C100. The ones most likely to apply in a children case are:
- Domestic abuse, where you have supporting evidence such as a conviction, caution, protective order, or a letter from a health professional, the police, social services or a domestic abuse support service.
- Child protection concerns, where the child is subject to child protection enquiries, or has been on a child protection plan within the last 12 months.
- Urgency, including a risk of harm to the child, a risk the child will be unlawfully removed from the UK, or a real risk of a miscarriage of justice.
- A previous MIAM attended within the last 4 months about the same issue with the same person.
- Practical barriers, such as the other parent being uncontactable despite reasonable attempts, or a disability that cannot be accommodated.
- A consent application, where you and the other parent already agree and are applying for a child arrangements order by consent.
Exemptions must be properly evidenced, and the court will check any exemption you claim. For the full list of all 15 exemptions, the exact evidence each one needs, and how to claim it on your form, see our complete guide to MIAM exemptions.
“Exemptions need to be properly documented. We help people understand what evidence they need to provide if they believe an exemption applies. Sometimes people think they qualify when they might still need to attend, so it is always worth checking with a mediator first.”
Jess Knauf, Director of Client Strategy, Mediate UK
What Happens at Your MIAM?
Before the Meeting
You will be sent some paperwork to complete before your appointment. This helps the mediator understand your situation in advance and makes better use of your time together. You will also be asked about any safety concerns, so appropriate arrangements can be made.
During the MIAM
The mediator will work through six things with you:
After the MIAM
If mediation seems suitable, the mediator will offer to contact the other parent to invite them to their own MIAM. If they agree, you will both move forward to joint mediation sessions. If mediation is not suitable, or the other parent does not want to try it, the mediator will provide you with a signed section of your C100 form (your MIAM certificate), confirming you have attended and allowing you to proceed with your court application.
“We had a dad who was convinced his ex-partner would never agree to mediation. He attended his MIAM feeling quite pessimistic. When we contacted his ex, she was actually relieved to have an alternative to court. They resolved their disagreements about school holidays and midweek contact in just three sessions. He later told us that if he had known how straightforward mediation would be, he would have tried it months earlier.”
Jess Knauf, Director of Client Strategy, Mediate UK
What Information Should You Bring to Your MIAM?
You do not need to bring extensive documentation, but it can help to have:
- Details of the issues you want to resolve
- Any relevant court orders or legal paperwork you already have
- Your ideas about what arrangements might work
- Information about your children (ages, school, any special needs)
- Any concerns you have about safety or the other parent’s parenting
If you have evidence related to a MIAM exemption, such as domestic abuse evidence, bring this with you.
How Much Does a MIAM Cost?
At Mediate UK a MIAM costs £115 + VAT for a standard appointment or £185 + VAT for an urgent same-day appointment. On a standard MIAM, your signed C100 section (your MIAM certificate) is a separate £55 + VAT; with an urgent MIAM it is included. You may qualify for legal aid to cover the cost in full if you:
- Receive certain means-tested benefits
- Have a low income
Legal aid for family mediation has fewer financial restrictions than legal aid for a solicitor’s help with court proceedings, so you might qualify even if you would not get legal aid for a solicitor. You can check using our legal aid eligibility check.
What About the Other Parent?
One question we hear often is “what if the other parent will not attend their MIAM?” You can only do your part. You need to attend your MIAM, but you cannot force the other parent to attend theirs. If they refuse, the mediator will provide you with a MIAM certificate confirming you have taken reasonable steps to attempt mediation.
This protects you. The court cannot penalise you for trying to mediate if the other parent will not engage. However, the court may look unfavourably on a parent who refuses to consider mediation without good reason.
The C100 Form and Court Fee
The C100 is the official application form for child arrangements in the family court. It asks for information about you and the other parent, details about your children, the type of order you are applying for, your reasons, your MIAM attendance or exemption, any safety concerns, and any previous court proceedings.
You can complete it online through the government’s digital service, or on paper by downloading the form from GOV.UK. Incomplete or incorrect applications are often rejected or sent back, which delays your case, so our full guide to completing a C100 is worth reading before you start.
The court fee for a C100 application is £270 as of July 2026. You may be eligible for help with court fees if you are on a low income or have limited savings, and even if you do not qualify for a full exemption you might get a reduced fee.
Timeline: How Long Does the Process Take?
Compare this with court proceedings alone, which typically take 6 to 12 months from application to final hearing. This is why mediation is often recommended, it is considerably quicker.
What Happens If Mediation Does Not Work?
Not all cases settle through mediation, and that is completely acceptable. If you try mediation and cannot reach agreements, you still have the option to apply to court. Your mediator will provide your MIAM certificate and you can proceed with your C100 application. The court will want to know you have attempted mediation, and in some cases judges may suggest parents try mediation again during proceedings if they feel there is still potential for agreement.
Real-World Example: How a MIAM Helped One Family
A mother contacted us determined to apply to court for a child arrangements order. She believed her ex-partner was being deliberately difficult about arrangements for their two children, aged 7 and 9. She had tried talking to him directly, but conversations always ended in arguments. During her MIAM, we explored what she actually wanted to achieve: a predictable schedule for the children, being able to plan work commitments in advance, and making sure the children could attend their swimming lessons.
When we contacted the father for his MIAM, we discovered he had similar frustrations. He wanted more time with the children but felt the mother was controlling all the decisions. We arranged joint mediation sessions, and by the third session they had agreed a regular pattern for the children staying with each parent, how they would communicate about changes, how they would share responsibility for the children’s activities, and how they would manage school holidays.
The whole process took six weeks. If they had gone to court, they would likely still have been waiting for their first hearing. They also created arrangements that worked for their family’s specific needs, rather than having a judge impose a standard order.
Summary
In almost all cases you need a MIAM before filing a C100 for a child arrangements, prohibited steps or specific issue order, unless a valid exemption applies or you are applying by consent. The MIAM lets you understand your options and, if mediation is not right, gives you the signed form you need to proceed to court. For couples who can agree, mediation is far quicker and cheaper than a contested application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a MIAM if I am applying for a C100 by consent?
No. If you and the other parent already agree and are applying for a child arrangements order by consent, you do not need a MIAM. This is question A5 on page 5 of the C100: “Are you applying for an order to formalise an agreement (consent order)?” If you tick Yes, you attach your draft agreement signed by both parties for the court to consider, and no MIAM is required. You only need a MIAM for a contested C100 where you need the court to decide.
Do both parents need to attend a MIAM?
Each parent attends their own separate MIAM. You will not meet the other parent during this initial appointment. If you both decide to try mediation, you then attend joint sessions together with the mediator.
Can I skip the MIAM if I already know mediation will not work?
No. The requirement to attend a MIAM before a C100 applies even if you are certain mediation will not help. The only way to skip it is if you qualify for a recognised exemption. The MIAM is about considering your options, not guaranteeing that mediation resolves everything.
What if I cannot afford the MIAM fee?
Check whether you qualify for legal aid, which would cover the cost of your MIAM and any subsequent mediation sessions. The financial thresholds for mediation are more generous than many people expect, so it is worth checking even if you are working.
How quickly can I attend a MIAM?
At Mediate UK we can usually arrange your MIAM within 48 hours of your first contact. Some services have longer waiting times, so it is worth contacting us early if you are considering court proceedings.
What happens if the other parent will not attend their MIAM?
If you have attended your MIAM but the other parent refuses to attend theirs, the mediator will provide your signed certificate. This allows you to proceed with your C100 application. You have fulfilled your legal obligation by attending your MIAM and attempting to engage the other parent.
Can I attend a MIAM online?
Yes. Mediate UK offers online MIAMs by video call. This can be more convenient, particularly if you live some distance from a venue or have childcare or work commitments that make in-person attendance difficult.
Will the mediator tell the court what I said in my MIAM?
No. Your MIAM is confidential. The mediator will not share the details of your discussion with the court or the other parent. The only information that goes to court is the signed section of the form confirming you attended.
How long is the signed form (FM1) valid for?
Your signed MIAM certificate is valid for four months. If you do not submit your C100 within four months of attending, you will need to attend another MIAM and get a new certificate.
What if we have already been to court about our children?
If you have already been to court and now want to vary or enforce an existing order, you will usually need a new MIAM first, unless you attended one within the last four months about the same issue.
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Ready to Book Your MIAM?
If you are considering a C100 application, attending your MIAM is your first step. We can usually arrange your appointment within 48 hours. Book a MIAM to get started, or arrange a free call to talk things through first.
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Quick C100 Form Guide
A clear overview of the C100 form, the common mistakes to avoid, and how Mediate UK can help you complete it correctly.
