Are Cuts To Legal Aid Encouraging Mediation?
Reading Time: 2 minutesFigures produced by National Family Mediation show that calls to their telephone helpline have more than doubled in the past year. Between January and June 2015, National Family Mediation staff took an average of over 3,400 calls each month, this figure being up from the 1,600 calls each month during the same period in 2014.
At the same time, figures produced by the Children’s Court Advisory Service, CAFCASS show that the number of new private law cases has decreased by 27% from 46,636 to 34,218 for the same period.
With the cuts in Legal Aid, it appears that divorcing and separating couples are increasingly researching their options as to how to resolve their differences. Perhaps the Government’s policy to divert people away from the legal process to Mediation is beginning to work!
The Family Department at Bennett Griffin has a diversity of specialists to assist divorcing and separating couples consider their options, (the process that is right for them and their situation) and can provide assistance in Mediation, the Collaborative process or legal advice and representation.
Jackie Gifford is a Chartered Legal Executive and Mediator. The benefit of using Mediation as an alternative to Court Proceedings is that the process is generally quicker and less expensive. It is often less stressful and upsetting and allows the parties to retain control of important decisions and to make them on an informed basis. Solutions can be tailor-made to the couples particular requirements.
As Jackie Gifford is an experienced family lawyer, parties will benefit from her knowledge of the law in the mediation process. For further information contact our Family Team on 01903 229912.
The information contained in this article is for general guidance only and is not intended to be legal advice. Professional advice should always be taken on the application of the law in any particular situation.