Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 29
29
Accepted
Mediation Voucher Scheme shows promise but requires further scaling to meet Family Court demand.
Recommendation
The Government’s Mediation Voucher Scheme is a welcome development for the capacity of the Family Court. The initial results, with 400 vouchers being used and with 77 percent of cases reaching full or partial agreements, are promising. While we recognise the value of piloting such approaches, we would encourage the Court Capacity 47 Government to find solutions that can match the scale of the challenge facing the Family Court. We agree with Resolution that the Government needs to ensure that there are a range of options available to separating families. (Paragraph 101) Technology in the Family Court
Government Response Summary
The government accepted the recommendation, committing a further £5.1 million to continue the Mediation Voucher Scheme in 2022/23, providing approximately 10,400 vouchers, and is developing a wider reform programme to offer a range of out-of-court options.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
This Government is committed to ensuring the family courts are available to those who need it most. Where it is appropriate and safe to do so, the Government wants to support parents/carers so that they can resolve their issues earlier and without coming to court. The government has committed a further £5.1 million to continue the Mediation voucher scheme during financial year 2022/23. This will deliver around 10,400 vouchers. The scheme provides a contribution of up to £500 for the costs of mediation to separating families with a dispute over child arrangements. The aim is to encourage as many families as possible to explore mediation as an alternative to court and reduce the growing number of outstanding private law cases. The Family Mediation Council, who administer the scheme, report that 8,625 families have taken up mediation vouchers as of 22 May. We agree that more needs to be done to meet the scale of the challenge. We are developing an ambitious programme of reform which will include a range of measures to help families reach an agreement without the need for court. This includes work to increase the number of parents attending the Separated Parent’s Information Programme (SPIP) earlier in the court process. This programme helps to reduce conflict between separating parties and ensures they are focused on the best interests of the child