From 6th April separating couples must assess whether mediation would be a better way of resolving their disputes than battling over them in court. Anyone setting out to contest the terms of their separation in court will first be required to consider mediation, under a new protocol agreed with the Judiciary. National Audit Office information on legally-aided mediation show that the average time for a mediated case to be completed is 110 days compared with 435 days for court cases on similar issues. The average cost per client of mediation is £535 compared to £2,823 for cases going to court.*
Mediation Services Throughout the South West