Update about FREE Family Mediation Voucher Scheme

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The court system is underfunded with the result that if you go to court you are likely to have a long wait until your child and/or financial arrangements are decided. Whilst the chancellor’s recent spring budget disappointed lawyers by only providing limited extra finances for the family justice system, the chancellor said: ” Too many… Read more »

FREE Family Mediation Voucher Scheme extended

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The Ministry of Justice voucher scheme was due to end 31 March 2023 but has been extended to April 2025 at the same time the government issued a consultation paper (closing on 15 June 2023) on making mediation compulsory for separating couples in certain family cases but excluding those which include allegations or a history… Read more »

New Divorce Laws and Finances

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Following the introduction of No Fault Divorce  on 6 April 2022 ( under the Divorce Dissolution and Separation Act 2020) divorces can only be defended in very limited circumstances. There is a minimum 26 week period from the issue of the Divorce papers until the marriage is officially terminated. This used to be on the decree… Read more »

Further Extension of Family Mediation Voucher Scheme

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On 16th January 2022 the Deputy Prime Minister Dominic announced £1.3 million additional funding for the scheme to increase the total fund to circa £3 Million. The Family Mediation Council anticipate this will last until about the end of March 2022. The voucher is non means tested and provides £500 towards the cost of mediation… Read more »

New Law to Protect Children in Wales from the Harm of Physical Punishment

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Starting 21 March 2022, it will be illegal for anyone, including visitors, in Wales, to use any physical punishment including smacking, hitting, slapping and shaking of children. This will give children the same protection from assault as adults. Parents will no longer be able to rely on the defence of reasonable chastisement in these circumstances…. Read more »

Extension of Family Mediation Voucher Scheme

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In late March 2021 the government introduced a non means tested £500 per family voucher for family mediation for separated families who need to make arrangements for children. £1 Million was allocated to the scheme. I am pleased to hear that the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has made a further £800,000 available for the scheme… Read more »

Family Mediators Welcome Government Voucher Scheme for Family Mediation to resolve issues relating to children

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The government announced on 26 March 2021 that it is investing £1m in family mediation, to support families . Under the scheme, the Ministry of Justice will provide contributions of up to £500 per family, to resolve issues relating to children following parental separation. Mediation will be provided by Family Mediation Council Accredited (FMCA) mediators… Read more »

How to start the mediation process; MIAMS.

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Before attending a joint mediation meeting you need to attend a Mediation Information Assessment Meeting, or ‘MIAM’ for short, to see if mediation could be used to resolve your difficulties and to avoid going to court. If you need to go to court you must first attend this meeting. The MIAM is a confidential meeting between you and a mediator… Read more »

Online Mediation; Tips on Preparing for an Online Meeting.

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1. Have these handy; a pen, paper, a drink and tissues. 2. Have to hand any documents you have or will wish to share for mediation in case you need to refer to them. 3. Check the suitability of the space in which you will be sitting during the online mediation session and, in particular,… Read more »

Child Maintenance Arrears; Remedy Against Joint Accounts

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The government, in the name of the Department for Works and Pensions, has announced that from early 2018 it wants to take powers to enforce child maintenance arrears against joint accounts where the payer either does not have their own account or their own bank account doesn’t have enough money in it to pay the… Read more »