Recommendation 18

Keeping cases out of the courts, where possible, can be less contentious and lead to quicker settlements, saving money and benefiting children.36 Both MoJ and DfE are taking measures to keep more cases out of court that do not need to be there, such as through family group decision- making meetings and through mediation.37 Since 2021, MoJ has introduced a mediation voucher scheme, providing £500 per family towards their mediation costs. MoJ agreed that mediation is a useful part of the system. It told us take-up of the voucher scheme has increased year on year and, since it started, over 40,000 families have accessed the vouchers.38 However, only around 35% of private law families attended a Mediation Information Assessment Meeting (MIAM) and this proportion has not increased since the mediation vouchers were introduced.39