Mediation
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Mediation should not be made mandatory for divorcing couples say Law Society and Resolution
The Law Society of England and Wales and the family lawyers’ association, Resolution, published their responses on 15 June to the government’s consultation ‘Supporting earlier resolution of family law arrangements,’ which proposes making mediation mandatory before separating couples go to court. Both the Law Society and Resolution are opposed to the proposal, stressing that mediation is not the best route for everyone and that it should not be made mandatory. The Law Society also warns that putting barriers in place to attending court is likely to deny access to justice. Divorce and family law solicitor, partner at Dexter Montague LLP, Tony Roe, said: “Non-court dispute resolution should be encouraged but mediation, of its very nature, is voluntary. What the government should do is to extend initial legal advice schemes so that people can be pointed to out-of-court remedies like mediation, as well as arbitration and collaborative law.”
News Editor
Solicitors Journal
Our key contacts at DMP for further advice and assistance on financial or children mediation are Stephanie Alderwick and Tony Roe:
stephanie.alderwick@dextermontague.co.uk
Telephone 0118 939399.
The contents of this article are for the purposes of general awareness only. They do not purport to constitute legal or professional advice. The law may have changed since this article was published. Readers should not act on the basis of the information included and should take appropriate professional advice upon their own particular circumstances.
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