Mediation changes afoot…

Following our blog on 14 October, the Justice Minister has announced new rules (effective from 6 April) making mediation compulsory before most family law proceedings can be issued at Court. A new practice direction requires couples to have at least one mediation awareness session, to find out what the mediation process involves and whether they want to sign up to it. The Justice Minister is hoping that more cases will be resolved through mediation, avoiding the stress and cost of contested Court proceedings, saying “Mediation is proven to be a quicker, cheaper and more amicable alternative, particularly where children are concerned”.

Watch this space for further information about the changes.