Government mediation proposals ‘game changer’ for warring couples

In March the Government revealed plans to make mediation a pre-court requirement in low level family dispute cases. A move that will no doubt help thousands to reduce the emotional and financial cost of divorce and separation.

The announcement hit the headlines just a matter of days before I took over the role of CEO at NFM (National Family Mediation), and briefly before my predecessor Jane Robey officially hung up her hat after almost 20 years at the helm.

What a way to start my tenure, and what a legacy for Jane to leave behind after so many years of campaigning and lobbying.

Needless to say, as a charity that specialises in mediation as an alternative dispute resolution method, we welcomed the move. As well as plans to further extend the current family mediation voucher scheme which makes a financial contribution of up to £500 towards the cost of mediation relating to children with funding now in place until 2025.

It will also introduce a power for judges to impose cost orders, in appropriate cases, on separating couples who do not make a reasonable attempt to mediate.

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