Leading family law practice Collins Solicitors in Watford is pleased to announce that solicitor Rebekah Gershuny is now qualified to undertake Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings (MIAMs).

Rebekah will be recommended as a mediator to hold MIAMs by both Resolution (www.resolution.org.uk) and the Family Justice website (www.familymediationhelpline.co.uk).

What is a MIAM?

A MIAM is a meeting where our mediator will explain what mediation is and how it works. The mediator will explain all options open to you for resolving your disputes. The mediator will help you to decide whether mediation is the right option for you.

Who attends at a MIAM?

If you are making an application to the court in relation to either financial or children issues, you are currently expected to, and in the future will be required to, attend at a MIAM before you make the application. You can discuss with our mediator whether it would be appropriate for you to attend at the MIAM alone or with your partner/spouse.

How much does a MIAM cost?

We charge £120.00 plus VAT for a MIAM. We offer a discounted rate of £100.00 plus VAT if you are on an income of less than £30,000.00. We do not offer publicly funded MIAMS.

What if mediation is not appropriate?

If you decide that mediation is not for you, or our mediator decides that it is not appropriate, then we will provide you with a completed form, FM1, which you will require before applying for a court order.

Rebekah Gershuny comments: “MIAMs are an excellent opportunity for separating couples to explore which option they would like to chose for resolving their disputes. Many couples do not have the knowledge to decide how to resolve their disputes, and realise after the MIAM that mediation is a better way to reach proposals in a non-confrontational way with their partner/spouse, rather than launching into expensive and unpredictable court proceedings.”

The Mediation service offered by Collins adds to the broad range of family work that the firm offers clients; including pre-nuptial agreements, divorce, separation and advice regarding children and finances.
The firm is proud of its role helping clients to make informed decisions concerning the legal, emotional and financial aspects of their relationship breakdown.
Three of the firm’s solicitors within the Family Team are members of Resolution and Rebekah Gershuny is also a qualified Collaborative Lawyer and Mediator.
The firm is a member of both the Law Society Family Law and Children Panels and holds a Legal Services Commission SQM for this work.

For further details, please contact:

Rebekah Gershuny, Collins Solicitors, T) 01923 223 324, rgershuny@collinslaw.co.uk