Tisshaws Welcome £500 Family Mediation Voucher Scheme

Family mediation is becoming a popular way for divorcing couples to separate, as it provides a relatively quick, cost-effective and relatively harmonious way for families to part, without having to go to court. Last month the government announced it is to invest £1m in family mediation to support families in resolving issues relating to children.

What is Family Mediation?

Family mediation involves divorcing couples working with a mediator (often a legally trained solicitor) to agree future arrangements regarding children, property, finances and pensions. Once both parties are happy, the mediator draws up a Memorandum of Understanding, which is then made legally binding by a solicitor.

For mediation to work, couples need to have a co-operative relationship and to be prepared to work with a mediator on reaching a compromise. It has the flexibility for both parties to discuss matters with the mediator in the same room, or for each party to occupy a different room that the mediator ‘shuttles’ between.

How does the Voucher Scheme work?

Under the scheme, the Ministry of Justice will provide qualifying families with vouchers worth up to £500 towards mediation. This will help to reduce the costs of family mediation for around 2,000 families, making mediation more accessible and affordable.

Mediation will be provided by Family Mediation Council Accredited (FMCA) mediators. After attending a Mediation Information & Assessment Meeting (MIAM), the accredited mediator will assess whether a couple meet the eligibility requirements for the voucher scheme. These include:

-          disputes regarding a child

-          disputes over financial matters which also involve a dispute relating to a child

Once eligibility is established, the mediator applies for the voucher funding on your behalf. The money is paid directly to the mediator once all the mediation sessions are completed. Depending on the number of mediation sessions agreed, you may still need to contribute to the overall cost of the process.

The Benefits of Family Mediation for Divorcing Couples

“This initiative will open up the benefits of mediation to more families saving them time, money and unnecessary acrimony. What’s more, it saves all the costs and anguish of a lengthy legal battle through the courts,” explains local family mediator, Hana Khodabocus, of Tisshaws Family Law Solicitors.