Research and analysis

Sustainability of mediation and legal representation in private family law cases

Legal aid administrative records were used to examine the outcomes from, and repeat use of, family legal aid services.

Documents

Sustainability of mediation and legal representation in private family law cases

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Details

Legal aid administrative records for 1.4 million clients between 2004 and 2010 were used to examine the outcomes from, and repeat use of, family legal aid services.

Results illustrated that clients were less likely to use additional services following mediation than following legal representation, suggesting mediation users have more sustainable resolutions.

However, amongst those who did use additional services, those returning after legal representation took longer to return than those who had used mediation.

Published 3 November 2011