Out-of-court family mediation.
Out-of-court family mediation is provided by
services affiliated to National Family
Mediation or by members of the Family
Mediators' Association. A couple can use
family mediation services as soon as
possible after they have decided their
relationship is ending and they feel able to
discuss any disputes. Mediation can be
helpful before divorce proceedings begin, to
encourage co-operation between the couple
and to prevent disputes intensifying and
agreement becoming harder to reach in the
future. Family mediation can also be used
after a separation or divorce if new issues
arise or there are outstanding issues to be
resolved.
Couples referred to a National Family
Mediation service or to some Family
Mediators' Association members by a
solicitor may be eligible for legal aid
under their legal help scheme for attending
mediation.