Under the voucher scheme, which launched in March 2021 and is administered by the Family Mediation Council (FMC), families are given £500 towards the cost of mediation. According to the MoJ, 4,400 vouchers have been used, 77% of cases reached full or partial agreements and 49% would not have considered mediation without the voucher.
Law Society president I Stephanie Boyce said: ‘Steps to address the backlog in the family court system are helpful.
‘However, data shows a straight line between the removal of private family proceedings from the scope of legal aid funding and a reduction in mediations. We have repeatedly said early legal advice for family law cases―cut by LASPO (the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act) in 2013―should be restored.’
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