Family mediation statistics released
In the latest statistics released by the Ministry of Justice and Legal Aid agency, from July to September 2021 legal aid for family matters rose 5 per cent to £149.7 million.
Mediation starts were 55% higher and outcomes also were 60% higher.
Family mediation involves an independent and impartial professionally accredited mediator discussing problems with a divorcing or separating couple in an attempt to reach agreement without using the courts.
A Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAMs) is an initial meeting between one or both parties and a mediator to see if family mediation could be used to resolve the issue.
Click here to see the latest legal aid statistics in England and Wales from July to September 2021.
The statistician continued to note that all figures for this quarter continue to be impacted by the pandemic. Family courts and other parts of the justice system remain ion a state of recovery from lockdown and social distancing restrictions.