You will attend an initial Mediation Information & Assessment Meeting (MIAM) meeting alone with the mediator. At this stage, the mediator will decide whether this is suitable for you or not. If suitable, a further joint meeting will be scheduled with your former partner.
If mediation relates to a breakdown of relationship and finances and/or property dispute, you will exchange financial disclosure of your financial circumstances with your former spouse. You will both be required to complete a Form E financial document (or a document like this) to exchange with each other. This will include the disclosure of bank statements, property valuations, mortgage redemption statement and pension valuations, amongst other things. This is not an exhaustive list and will be bespoke to each case. An analysis of each parties monthly needs in the form of an outgoings schedule will also need to be prepared. The mediator will produce a schedule of assets and, based on this information alongside considering s.25 of the Matrimonial Causes Act, will assist you both to negotiate towards hopefully reaching a fair and reasonable settlement. However, the mediator cannot give you advice during the process or provide you with an outcome.
