Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Thousands of families opt for mediation scheme to avoid costly legal battles, stress

A breakthrough government-backed mediation scheme has given relief to more than 13,500 families, the justice ministry has said.

Thousands of families opt for mediation scheme to avoid costly legal battles, stress

Thousands of families in the UK could now avoid the stress and expenses of lengthy courtroom battles through a breakthrough mediation scheme.

The country's government could reveal on Monday (16) that the scheme has provided over 13,500 mediation vouchers worth £500 to separating couples in order to assist them in finding mutually agreeable solutions with the backing of a trained mediator, the justice ministry said in a press release.


Recent research has shown that two-thirds of cases have reached full or partial agreements away from the court, giving relief to parents and their children from anxiety and cost of acrimonious disputes in the courtroom and at the same time, lessening pressure on the family justice system and reducing the backlogs.

Supported by £8.7 million in government funding, the scheme helps families to resolve disputes away from the court, such as contact arrangements for children following a divorce or separation.

Diverting lower-level disputes away from the courtroom also helps ensure the family courts can better prioritise serious cases with safeguarding concerns, such as those which involve domestic abuse.

A family mediation is a process in which an independent and professionally trained mediator helps parties work out arrangements for children and finances where there is a dispute.

The scheme's success has been unveiled as part of Family Mediation Week, 16-20 January, a national awareness raising campaign led by the Family Mediation Council, highlighting the benefits mediation can bring to separating families.

New proposals seek to restrict the rights for foreigners subject to deportation orders, as criminals “too often exploit human rights laws” of Britain Britain's deputy prime minister Dominic Raab. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images)

Deputy prime minister, Lord chancellor and secretary of state for justice Dominic Raab said, “Our £8.7m investment into this landmark scheme has already helped spare thousands of families the expense and turmoil of unnecessary lengthy courtroom battles.

“It has also allowed the family courts to better focus on cases with serious safeguarding concerns, including domestic abuse, to keep children safer.”

John Taylor, chair of the Family Mediation Council, said,  “When you separate, it can be hard to talk to your ex-partner, and difficult to know how to sort out parenting, property, and money issues. A family mediator can help you both to make plans for the future that will work best for you and your children.

“We are hosting Family Mediation Week to help more people learn more about the process of mediation, and how it can help you make vital decisions about your family’s future.”

In 2021, the government sought views on the best ways to settle family disputes away from the courts and will set out plans on how more families can benefit from mediation shortly.

Lawyers widely recognise January as a month where there is a surge in divorce applications.

Last year, there was a near 50 per cent increase in the number of people filing for divorce between December 2021 to January 2022.

Mediation is often a quicker and cheaper way of resolving disputes. It involves couples working through their differences – led by a trained and accredited mediator – to reach agreements they are both prepared to accept, such as how to split assets or arrange child contact times, rather than have a judge decide for them.

The specialist mediator helps participants to reach solutions tailored to their circumstances with many coming to agreements within two sessions.

Without the vouchers, mediation sessions would normally be charged for unless one of the parties has access to legal aid.

More For You

Government announces funding for offshore wind supply chains

Energy secretary Ed Miliband reads a letter from Britain's King Charles III during the Future of Energy Security Summit at Lancaster House on April 24, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Tallis - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Government announces funding for offshore wind supply chains

THE government has announced an initial £300 million investment to strengthen domestic offshore wind supply chains ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review. The funding will be distributed through Great British Energy, the country's publicly-owned clean energy company.

Prime minister Keir Starmer on Thursday (24) said the investment aims to support jobs and help the UK reach clean power by 2030.

Keep ReadingShow less
modi-pahalgam-getty

'I say to the whole world: India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backer,' Modi said in his first speech since the incident.

Getty Images

Modi vows to hunt Kashmir attackers ‘to the ends of the Earth’

INDIA and Pakistan have exchanged a series of diplomatic measures after prime minister Narendra Modi blamed Pakistan for a deadly shooting in Pahalgam, Kashmir, in which 26 civilians were killed.

Modi said India would identify and punish those behind the attack and accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump

Trump also announced an initiative on historically black colleges and universities and signed orders on AI education and workforce development.

Getty Images

Trump signs orders targeting university diversity policies and accreditation

DONALD TRUMP signed a set of executive orders on Wednesday aimed at US universities, focusing on foreign donations, college accreditation, and diversity and inclusion initiatives.

One order directs the federal government to enforce existing laws requiring universities to disclose large foreign gifts. Another addresses accreditation, which Trump has described as a “secret weapon.”

Keep ReadingShow less
'India likely to be first to sign trade deal with the US'

Scott Bessent speaks during the Institute of International Finance (IIF) Global Outlook Forum in Washington, DC on April 23, 2025. (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

'India likely to be first to sign trade deal with the US'

US TREASURY SECRETARY Scott Bessent has said he expects India to be the first country to secure a bilateral trade deal avoiding President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs.

A 26 per cent 'reciprocal' tariff on Indian exports to the US is currently on a 90-day pause, set to expire on July 8. However, like other countries, India is presently subject to a 10 per cent tariff under the existing policy.

Keep ReadingShow less
Badenoch says Tories must work hard to win May polls

Kemi Badenoch

Badenoch says Tories must work hard to win May polls

Simon Finlay

CONSERVATIVE leader Kemi Badenoch made her second visit to Kent in six weeks, declaring her party can cling onto power at the county council elections on May 1.

However, Badenoch, who was in the county on Tuesday (22) to meet a farmer impacted by the government’s changes to inheritance tax, insisted “we are going to have to work hard for it”. Eighty one seats are up for grabs at Kent County Council (KCC) next week.

Keep ReadingShow less