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Mediation Matters: Unlocking an understanding of mediation
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Who says August is a quiet month? It’s not traditionally noted for major Government statements but this month saw one of the most significant announcements affecting family law and mediation for some time. Justice Minister Simon Hughes
pledged funding for a single free mediation session for both parties where just one of them qualifies for legal aid.
It was the ‘headline’ part of his full response to the recent
report of the Family Mediation Task Force. You’ll recall he established that group in a bid to reverse the recent decline in the number of separating and divorcing people using mediation: a slump caused mainly by the legal aid changes of 2013. I use the word ‘headline’ cautiously. In truth it didn’t make many of those. Some have criticised the move for its modesty saying the Government should do more or that Ministers are aiming money in the wrong direction.
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