Reading family mediation — MIAMs and finding an accredited mediator

Family mediation helps separating couples in Reading resolve arrangements for children, finances and property without going to court. Most family court applications in England and Wales require you to attend a MIAM first — a short, private meeting with an accredited family mediator. This page explains how the process works and lists mediator services verified against source websites.

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-31

How MIAMs work

A MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting) is a private meeting between you and an authorised family mediator, without your ex-partner present. Under section 10 of the Children and Families Act 2014 and Family Procedure Rules Practice Direction 3A, you must normally attend a MIAM before applying to the family court for a child arrangements order or a financial remedy order, unless an exemption applies (for example, certain domestic abuse cases or urgent matters).

At the MIAM the mediator:

Explains how family mediation and other non-court dispute resolution options work.
Assesses whether your case is suitable for mediation, including any safeguarding or power-balance concerns.
If mediation is not suitable or the other person will not take part, signs the court form confirming you attended (or that an exemption applies).

A MIAM should be held within 15 business days of contacting the mediator. Each person usually attends their own individual MIAM. If mediation proceeds, you then move to joint sessions (or shuttle mediation where meeting together is not appropriate) covering child arrangements, finances and property. Agreements can be recorded in a memorandum of understanding and, if you both want, made legally binding through a consent order.

Using the FMC register

The Family Mediation Council (FMC) is the professional body for family mediators in England and Wales. Its register at familymediationcouncil.org.uk is the only official directory of accredited family mediators. You can search by name, town or postcode and see each mediator's accreditation status, qualifications and contact details. Only FMC-accredited mediators can sign MIAM certificates for court, so always check the register before booking. Practice Direction 3A expects an authorised mediator to be available within 15 miles of your home, or you can attend online.

Legal aid for mediation

Family mediation is one of the few areas where legal aid remains available in England and Wales. If you qualify, your mediation — including your MIAM — is free, and if only one of you qualifies, the Legal Aid Agency also covers the other person's MIAM and first joint session. Check eligibility using the calculator at gov.uk/legal-aid or gov.uk. Even without legal aid, the government's family mediation voucher scheme can contribute up to £500 towards mediation costs where child arrangements are in dispute (gov.uk guidance).

Verified mediator services in Reading

The following service was verified at source this session. Details were taken from the practice's own website; confirm fees and availability directly before booking.

Reading Family Mediation — a group of family-law specialists offering mediation and MIAMs in Reading and across Berkshire (venues in Reading, Wokingham, Newbury/Thatcham and elsewhere). Its site describes Christine Plews as a Family Mediation Council (FMC) Accredited Mediator, and mediator Judi Lyons is listed by the Family Mediators Association as providing MIAMs from Reading. Website: reading-family-mediation.co.uk. Verified: 2026-08-31 at source.

Other firms serving Reading could not be confirmed against the FMC register at source this session and are therefore not listed. Use the FMC register search for the full, current list of accredited mediators near you.

What mediation covers — and what it does not

Family mediation can address arrangements for children (where they live, time with each parent, schooling), finances and property on divorce or separation, pensions, debts, and how to talk to children about separation. The mediator is impartial, does not take sides and does not give legal advice — you are encouraged to take independent legal advice on any proposed settlement before finalising it. Mediation is voluntary for both of you and may not be suitable where there has been domestic abuse or coercive control; the mediator will assess this at the MIAM.

Not legal advice and independence statement

This page is general information, not legal advice, and is no substitute for advice from a solicitor or an accredited family mediator about your own circumstances. YourFamilyCase.co.uk is independent of every mediation practice listed: any paid placement is clearly labelled as advertising, and listings are based on source verification carried out on the date shown. If a practice's FMC status changes, it will be re-checked on the next review.

Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.