Our Family Law team here at Thornton Jones Solicitors were really pleased to learn of further funding by the Government into the Mediation Voucher Scheme; a scheme which enables eligible families to apply for a £500 voucher to be used towards the payment for Mediation.
Announced via a press release on gov.uk on 3rd June 2022, the press release stated that;
An extra £5.4 million in funding will help even more families to resolve disputes away from court, such as contact arrangements for children.
The press release outlines the success to date of the Mediation Voucher Scheme with over 8400 vouchers already been used since it’s launch in March 2021 and with this extension, a further 10,200 vouchers will be available, bringing the total investment into the scheme to £8.7 million.
Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Dominic Raab said:
We are investing over £5 million this year alone to help more families to resolve their disputes without the stress and trauma of lengthy courtroom battles.
Mediation protects children, by removing the bitterness of parental disputes from the amplifying effect of a courtroom – and allows the family courts to focus on adjudicating cases with serious safeguarding concerns, including domestic abuse.
What is Family Mediation?
Family Mediation is a process whereby separating couples can discuss, with a trained Mediator, the terms of their separation and form an agreement on matters such as finances and children. Family Mediation can help couples resolve the issues surrounding their separation or divorce in a constructive and amicable way, which usually helps separating couples to move on with their lives in a way that traditional ways of resolving disputes cannot.
One of our experienced Family Law Solicitors and mediators, Shelley Wales says:
Providing, through funding, an easier route for separating couples to pursue Mediation as an option to agree terms on matters such as where their children will live and what the arrangements should be for the time children should spend with each parent, is both a positive outcome for the families involved and a positive outcome for keeping such matters out of the courts. Mediation can also be used to agree financial arrangements too.
Typically, taking such matters through the court system can be both costly and lengthy, and often results in animosity between parents which can lead to conflict going forward. Such conflict can have a detrimental impact on the wellbeing of the children and their relationship with their parents.
We would always recommend giving Mediation a try before pursuing the court route.
How do I get in Touch?
If you are in the process of separating or divorcing then call us today to discuss your options. We have an excellent and experienced Family Law team who will listen to you and learn of your situation so that we can advise of the best route to take which may be to attempt to resolve your differences through Mediation.
Garforth
Westbourne House, 99 Lidgett Lane, Garforth, Leeds, LS25 1LJ
Tel: 0113 246 4423
Email: enquiries@thorntonjones.co.uk
Ossett
25 Bank Street, Ossett, WF5 8PS
Tel: 01924 586466
Email: enquiries@thorntonjones.co.uk
Sherburn in Elmet
6 Finkle Hill, Sherburn in Elmet, Leeds, LS25 6EA
Tel: 01977 350500
Email: enquiries@thorntonjones.co.uk
Wakefield
Bank House, 1 Burton Street, Wakefield, WF1 2GF
Tel: 01924 290029
Email: enquiries@thorntonjones.co.uk
About Shelley Wales
Shelley brings over 20 years of experience to Thornton Jones and has extensive experience in dealing with disputes relating to matters such as where a child should live, how much time should a child spend with each parent, preventing a parent from doing something or requiring a parent to do something, moving abroad with a child, and change of a child’s name.
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