Family charity, National Family Mediation (NFM) has called on judges and the wider family court system to do more to increase the take-up of family mediation.

The Government has taken a number of measures over the past year to encourage separating couples to use mediation to settle their disputes rather than go to court. However, despite these efforts take-up remains low, says NFM.

“Ministers are right to seek culture change so that mediation becomes the first port of call for divorcing couples,” explained Jane Robey, CEO of NFM.

“Family court judges must be more willing to embrace mediation, using the powers they already have to direct people who come before courts towards alternative means of settling disputes,” she added.

According to NFM, the latest Ministry of Justice figures show that while there is an increase in the number of mediation starts, they have not reached the numbers that were taking place before the LASPO Act was introduced in 2013.

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