Mediation vouchers offered to families

The government will contribute up to £500 towards the mediation costs for eligible cases. Applicable disputes include those concerning a child, or concerning family financial matters where the parties are involved in a dispute relating to a child. About 2,000 families are likely to receive the help.

Parties must attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (known as a MIAM) unless exempt before certain court proceedings can be launched. The mediator at the MIAM will discuss the voucher scheme with attending parties. The voucher can not be used for the MIAM, which costs about £90.

Neil Russell, family law partner at Seddons, said the scheme was ‘an excellent initiative.

‘No doubt the government is hoping that this will save money otherwise spent through the courts resolving family disputes concerning money and children. Mediation is often the preferred route to reduce family conflict and in the right cases can be very effective.    

‘Although the £500 may not enable the parties to complete a mediation, it might just persuade them of the benefits of mediation so that they decide to invest further in the mediation process to avoid contested court proceedings.’

Law Society president I Stephanie Boyce said: ‘Steps to address the backlog in the family court system are helpful.

‘However, data shows a clear and significant correlation between the removal of private family proceedings from the scope of legal aid funding and a reduction in mediations. We continue to recommend the government address this by bringing at least early advice in private family proceedings back in scope.

‘Solicitors are best placed to assess all alternative dispute resolution (ADR) options with their clients―such as arbitration, early neutral evaluation, negotiation and conciliation. We encourage a review of these other forms of ADR to ensure parties are able to access the best solution for them.’