Early legal advice funding pilot to help settle family disputes away from court

The Ministry of Justice has announced plans for a funding pilot scheme to fund the provision of early legal advice for parents who are separating.

The changes need to be made to address the current issues facing the family justice system with lengthy waiting times, costs and stress for families, both parents and children.

The Ministry of Justice have also confirmed the government will not be proceeding with previously announced plans to make family mediation compulsory for many separating couples.

Family Mediation can be extremely effective, but it is not right for every couple. It also tends to work best when seen as am empowering option, and it is entered into voluntarily. It is very important to note that for some families, particularly where there are allegations of abuse, family court will be the right way forward.

Resolution are a group of family lawyers and associated family justice practitioners who believed that a non-confrontational approach to family law issues would frequently produce better outcomes for separating families and their children.

Jo Edwards from Resolution said:

“We welcome the announcement of a pilot for funding early legal advice and look forward to working with the Ministry of Justice to demonstrate how this can help separating parents find the right way forward for them and, where possible, reach agreement outside court.”

“Resolution members are already helping people across the country do this every day and there is plenty of evidence to show the connection between couples receiving early legal advice and resolving issues on separation, in turn freeing up court time for the most needy cases (involving safeguarding issues or vulnerable people).”

You can read more about this funding pilot and how it can help you settle finances or co-parenting after a divorce or dissolution on Resolution’s website, accessible here.