The Government plans to make more family mediation sessions free of charge and encourages those who have family disputes to utilise mediation.
Statistics show that nearly 70% of the couples who have engaged in mediation to resolve disputes involving children have been able to reach an agreement.
Mediation is already available free of charge for any person who qualifies financially however this is only for the qualifying person and this currently means that unless the other party is financially eligible he or she has to pay a fee. Planned changes mean that provided one party is financially eligible the non eligible party’s fees will be paid by the government so that the first session of mediation will be free for both parties.
Simon Hughes, the Family Justice Minister has said “We know mediation works and we want more people to make use of it. This is why we are announcing today funding for free mediation sessions, improving the advice and information available for couples who are separating.”