Non-court dispute resolution

Unless it is clearly inappropriate to do so family lawyers should explain alternative methods of resolving family law disputes outside the court process and advise on the benefits and/or limitations in the client’s specific case plus the role of the solicitor in supporting the non-court dispute resolution process where appropriate. Non-court dispute resolution was previously known as alternative dispute resolution (ADR). The potential suitability of alternative methods of dispute resolution should be kept under review throughout a case.

See Practice Notes: Introduction to non-court dispute resolution and Non-court dispute resolution glossary.

Mediation information and assessment meetings (MIAMs)

Family Procedure Rules 2010 (FPR 2010), SI 2010/2955, Pt 3, together with FPR 2010, PD 3A, provides for all potential applicants to attend a mediation information and assessment meeting (MIAM) before making certain kinds of applications to obtain a court order in relevant family proceedings, save where an exemption applies. The court will also expect the prospective respondent to attend a MIAM. The court must consider, at every stage in proceedings, whether non-court dispute resolution is appropriate and has a general power to adjourn proceedings in order

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