On the spot family mediation trial launches in the West Midlands
03 July 2009
Legal Aid Minister Willy Bach has launched a pioneering project to provide family mediation and help prevent distressing court disputes across the West Midlands.
The in-court family mediation pilot is designed to offer an alternative to family court hearings and so reduce the time, cost and stress involved in resolving disputes by helping families reach safe, long-lasting agreements in the best interests of all involved, particularly children, before any dispute reaches court.
It is part of a wider Ministry of Justice programme to provide alternatives to litigation so that courts are the last resort for people involved in civil or family disputes.
Legal Aid Minister Willy Bach said:
‘The breakdown of a family is an extremely distressing time for all involved, particularly children, which is why I am determined that courts should be the last resort. Sadly that is currently not the case, with only one in five legal aid clients experiencing a family dispute opting for the benefits that mediation can bring.
‘Mediation is proven to provide a much quicker and less traumatic process than appearing in a family court for many, and so provides a more satisfactory conclusion for all involved as a result. It can also deliver big savings to the taxpayer, with disputes resolved through mediation costing half as much as those in the courts. A significant saving at a time when we’re actively trying to sustain the best legal aid system in the world.
‘The launch of today’s project in the West Midlands will provide a fresh alternative to the costly and time-consuming court litigation process and has great potential to alleviate much of the strain involved for families facing litigation right across the West Midlands.’
As part of the pilot programme, local family mediation providers in the West Midlands work with judges and Cafcass to identify cases where mediation might be a suitable alternative to the court process. Families are then offered the option of mediation over the court process for resolving their family dispute. The uptake of mediation is a voluntary process.
While visiting the West Midlands, Willy Bach also celebrated 60 years of legal aid with a trip to Millennium Point in Birmingham to view the ‘Legal Aid is 60’ exhibition as it continues its journey around the country.
The exhibition, which was launched at the House of Commons earlier this year, includes a timeline of legal aid through the ages, charting the history and achievements over the past 60 years.
‘Anniversaries are a time to celebrate, but they are also a time to reflect on how things have changed over time. The government remains committed to delivering this vital service and real help to support and assist some of the most vulnerable members of our society in way that is more cohesive and sustainable for the future.’
The Legal Aid at 60 Exhibition will be open to the public between 1-3 July at Millennium Point. Birmingham residents can follow the Legal Aid is 60 campaign or on Twitter @legalaidis60.
Notes to editors
- Media Enquiries: Ministry of Justice Press Office 020 3334 3513 or 07948 221 949.
- The Legal Services Commission Family Mediation Pilot is designed to encourage the use of mediation at any time during the family proceedings to assist in resolving family disputes. The pilot works within the revised President’s Private Law Programme, which set sets out how private law children cases should be dealt with at court, and provides an opportunity to evaluate appropriate mediation models and achievable outcomes where greater encouragement is provided to consider mediation at the first appointment.