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Sadler Cross Family Law to participate in governments £500 Mediation Voucher Scheme

1 January 2022

Accredited Family Law Mediator, Essex and Suffolk, Colchester, Chelmsford, Ipswich, Witham, and MaldonFamily law mediator and solicitor Lauren Sadler is pleased to be participating in a new initiative launched by the Ministry of Justice to encourage parents in dispute to use family mediation services.

The government recently announced an investment of £1m in family mediation services, to support families to resolve issues relating to children and / or finances on separation. Family mediation is a process in which an independent, professionally trained mediator helps parents work out arrangements for children and finances following separation. Mediation can also be helpful when previous child arrangements need to change, particularly as children grow up. Family mediation is a proven cost-effective way to resolve differences following separation.

Under the scheme, the Ministry of Justice will provide contributions of up to £500 per family, to resolve issues relating to children following parental separation. Mediation will be provided by Family Mediation Council Accredited (FMCA) mediators and the fund will reduce the costs of mediation for at least 2000 families.

Local family mediator Lauren Sadler FMCA, from Sadler Cross Family Law said ‘It is fantastic news that the government is providing this scheme to help couples with the cost of family mediation.  The pressures on couples arising from the pandemic has meant that they are facing the uncertainties of separation and due to perhaps a loss of income or downturn in their financial situation, are worried about the cost of mediation which is such a shame.  This scheme will provide each couple with up to £500 towards the costs of mediation session which I am sure will be very welcome.”

The scheme is available in cases where both clients have had a MIAM after 26th March 2021 with an Accredited Family Mediator.  Clients will need to pay for their initial MIAM but the scheme then provides up to £500 towards the costs of mediation session. The voucher can be used towards the cost of joint mediation sessions.   Please contact Lauren Sadler (office@sadlercross.co.uk) for further information or book your MIAM by visiting our client portal on our website.


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Additional Information

19 JANUARY 21

The government has announced it is ploughing more cash into the mediation voucher scheme to keep more family disputes away from court.   The £1.2m cash injection comes five months after the Ministry of Justice allocated a further £800,000 to the family mediation voucher scheme, which was introduced in March 2021 with £1m of initial funding. The additional funding has likely been allocated because of the success of the scheme to date.  The ministry said 4,400 vouchers, which are worth £500 each, have already been used, with 77% of cases reaching full or partial agreement away from court.

8 SEPTEMBER 21

The Ministry of Justice has made a further £800,000 available to distribute in family mediation vouchers. It is predicted that this means vouchers will be available up until mid-December. We recommend that you act quickly if you require family mediation services and would like government support with the costs. For more information or, to book your first mediation session visit: https://bit.ly/3uSfIQq

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