Can I refuse to attend a MIAM meeting?

Mediation is a voluntary process, and you can refuse to attend a MIAM meeting. There are exemptions that allow refusal to attend such as domestic abuse, urgency, child safety concerns, or when there is no mediator available within 15 miles.

If you refuse to attend without a valid exemption or good reason, a Judge could adjourn proceedings and order you to attend mediation, or another form of non-court dispute resolution.

In some cases, you could be ordered to pay some or all of the other party’s legal costs.