Family mediation and alternative dispute resolution

One of our goals is to encourage the use of alternative dispute resolution – in other words, options that don’t involve going to court - and mediation to resolve family related disputes.

Family mediation is a service to help couples who have decided to separate or divorce, or who have already separated, to negotiate their own terms of agreement, taking into account the needs and interests of all involved. In certain circumstances, mediation can also assist in disputes within families.

Since November 2011 we have provided family mediation services. The role of family mediation is to encourage the separating couple to co-operate with each other in working out mutually acceptable arrangements on all or any of the following:

• Parenting the children
• Financial support
• Family home and property
• Pensions
• Other issues related to the separation

Unlike civil legal aid and advice, family mediation is free for the client.

We provide family mediation through 16 mediation offices.