Filing a C100 in London: Do I Need a MIAM?

Do I Need a MIAM Before Filing a C100 in London?

If you are considering applying to a London family court for a child arrangements order, one of the first questions most parents ask is: do I need a MIAM before filing a C100? The short answer is yes, in most cases. Before you can submit your C100 application to the court, you are required by law to first attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting with a qualified mediator.

This article explains exactly what the requirement means, when exemptions apply, what happens during a MIAM, and how to arrange one quickly in London. Whether you are at the very start of this process or have already had legal advice and want to understand the next step, you will find clear, practical answers here.

What is a MIAM and Why is it Required for the C100?

A MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting) is a one-to-one meeting with an accredited family mediator. It is not a full mediation session. Its purpose is to give you information about how mediation works and to assess whether it might be a suitable way to resolve your dispute without going to court.

The requirement was introduced by the Children and Families Act 2014 as part of a wider effort to encourage families to resolve disputes outside of the court system where it is safe and appropriate to do so. Before the Act came into force, there was no statutory obligation to attend a MIAM, but parliament recognised that many families were going straight to court without exploring alternatives first.

When you complete your C100 form, section 4 asks about the MIAM. You must either confirm that you attended one, or state which exemption applies. If you leave this section blank or do not have it signed, the court will generally not accept your application.

What Does the MIAM Requirement Mean in Practice?

In practice, the MIAM before C100 requirement means that before you submit your application to a London family court, including courts such as the Central Family Court on Holborn, the East London Family Court, or any other venue in the region, you must first contact a Family Mediation Council (FMC) accredited mediator and attend your MIAM appointment.

The mediator will then complete and sign the relevant section of your C100. This confirms one of two things:

• You attended the MIAM and were given information about mediation
• You attended the MIAM but the mediator assessed that mediation is not suitable (for example, because of domestic abuse concerns or because the other party refused to attend)

You do not have to go on to full mediation if you do not want to or if the mediator assesses it is not appropriate. The MIAM is simply the first step. After it, you are free to proceed with your C100 application to the court.

When Are You Exempt from the MIAM Requirement?

There are a number of situations where you may be able to apply for a MIAM exemption on your C100. Exemptions exist to protect people in genuinely difficult or dangerous circumstances, but they are not a loophole and the court may scrutinise them. The main exemptions include:

Domestic Abuse

If there is evidence of domestic abuse involving you, your child, or a relevant third party, you may qualify for an exemption. Evidence can include a police caution, a court order, a letter from a GP or social worker, or a letter from a domestic abuse support organisation such as a MARAC or IDVA. Simply stating that abuse has occurred without supporting evidence is unlikely to be sufficient.

Urgency

If there is a risk of immediate harm to your child, or if you need to apply for an emergency order, an urgent MIAM exemption may apply. This is for genuine emergencies, for example where a child has been taken abroad without consent, or where there is an immediate safeguarding concern.

Child Protection Concerns

If children’s services are already involved with your family, or if your child is the subject of an enquiry under section 47 of the Children Act 1989, an exemption may apply.

Other Grounds

Other possible exemptions include where the other party cannot be located, where a MIAM has already been conducted in the past four months in relation to the same dispute, where one party lives outside England and Wales, or where there are circumstances that make it impractical to attend. You can find a full breakdown of all 15 grounds in the MIAM exemptions guide on Mediate UK.

It is worth knowing that judges have the power to require parties to attend a MIAM even after an exemption has been claimed, if they consider it was not genuinely warranted. Misusing the exemptions can reflect badly on your case.

What Happens at a MIAM in London?

A MIAM in London is a private, confidential meeting between you and a qualified mediator. The other party is not present, they would have their own separate MIAM if they agreed to attend. The appointment usually lasts around 45 to 60 minutes and covers the following:

• An explanation of what mediation involves and how it works
• An overview of other options, including collaborative law, solicitor negotiation, and court proceedings
• An assessment of whether mediation is suitable for your situation
• A discussion of any safety concerns or reasons mediation may not be appropriate
• Information about the government’s Family Mediation Voucher Scheme, which may provide up to £500 towards your mediation costs

After the appointment, the mediator will complete the relevant section of your C100. If mediation is suitable and you want to proceed with it, they will also discuss next steps. If not, you will receive your signed form and can go ahead with your court application.

Our MIAM London Guide has a detailed breakdown of what to expect if you would like to read more before your appointment.

How to Get a MIAM Certificate for Your C100

The process for completing the MIAM requirement before your C100 filing is straightforward:

1. Contact a Family Mediation Council accredited mediator. Only accredited mediators can sign the MIAM section of a C100. London Mediation Service mediators are all FMC accredited.
2. Book and attend your MIAM. This can be in person at our Waterloo, St Pancras, or Sutton offices, or by video if you prefer.
3. Receive your signed C100 section. After your appointment, the mediator will complete section 4 of your C100. This confirms the date of your MIAM and the mediator’s details.
4. Proceed with your court application. With the form signed, you can submit your C100 to the relevant London family court.

Many people ask about a separate MIAM certificate. The signed section 4 of your C100 is the standard confirmation the court requires. If you need a standalone certificate document for any reason, this can be arranged, but in most cases the signed C100 section is sufficient.

Do Both Parents Need to Attend a MIAM?

Only the applicant (the person making the C100 application) is required to attend a MIAM before filing. However, the mediator should also invite the other party to attend their own separate MIAM appointment. This is usually done by contacting them directly or via their solicitor.

If the other party refuses to attend or does not respond, this does not prevent you from proceeding with your application. The mediator will note that the other party was invited but declined, and this is reflected in the signed form. Courts are familiar with this situation.

It is worth checking the MIAM eligibility calculator on Mediate UK if you are not sure whether the requirement applies to your specific situation.

London-Specific Considerations for the MIAM and C100 Process

London families face some practical differences compared to other parts of England and Wales. The family courts in London are among the busiest in the country, and the time from filing a C100 to getting a first hearing can be longer than in less pressured areas. Getting your MIAM completed promptly, and your C100 submitted correctly, is particularly important in London because delays at the filing stage can add weeks to an already stretched timetable.

London also has a higher proportion of international families, with situations involving parents from different countries, children with dual nationality, or concerns about international relocation. If your case involves any international element, it can be helpful to discuss this during your MIAM, as the mediator may be able to advise on whether specialist legal advice is also needed. Our Central London mediation service at Waterloo is particularly well-placed for families coming from across the borough of Lambeth, Westminster, and Southwark.

What if I Have an Urgent Case?

If your situation is genuinely urgent, for example where a child has been removed from their home, taken out of the country, or where there is an immediate risk of harm, you may be able to apply to the court without first attending a MIAM. These cases would typically be dealt with under the urgency exemption and may involve an emergency (ex parte) application.

If you need a MIAM urgently but do not qualify for an exemption, we offer online MIAM appointments that can often be arranged at short notice. Video appointments remove the need to travel and can sometimes be completed within 24 to 48 hours of booking.

After the MIAM: What Are Your Options?

Once you have completed your MIAM, you have a clearer picture of the options available to you. These broadly fall into two categories:

Option 1: Proceed with Mediation

If mediation is assessed as suitable and both parties are willing, you can begin joint mediation sessions. For child arrangements disputes in London, many cases are resolved in two to four sessions, saving considerable time and money compared to court proceedings. Any agreement reached in mediation can be recorded in a Memorandum of Understanding, and if you want it made legally binding, it can be converted into a consent order. You can read more in the child arrangements guide on Mediate UK.

Option 2: Proceed with the C100 Application

If mediation is not suitable, or if you or the other party do not wish to take part, the mediator will sign your C100 and you can proceed with your court application. Section 4 of the form will be completed to show that you have met the MIAM requirement. You can then submit your C100 to the appropriate London family court, along with the court fee (£270 for most child arrangements applications, from 13 July 2026).

Our full family mediation guide covers both routes in more detail: Family Mediation Services in London.

Frequently Asked Questions