Cash-backed drive to divert separating parents from court is welcome

This month saw the low-key government launch of a £1 million drive to improve the take-up of family mediation for separating families with children.

Vouchers are being made available to cover up to £500 of a separating family’s mediation bill. Those who are eligible for legal aid are expected to continue to use that avenue of funding for their mediation. But in cases where only one of the two adults involved is legal aid-eligible, the voucher can be used to fund the other. The limit of £500 applies per case, not per party.