ONE of the region’s lawyers is concerned that family mediation is not being sufficiently promoted, to the detriment of families in the region, and is calling on the Government to make efforts to raise awareness about it.

Trish Craggs, family mediator at Tilly Bailey & Irvine Solicitors says that she hopes that mediation will be promoted widely in the upcoming Family Dispute Resolution Week from Monday November 24 to Friday 28, making more people aware that mediation is an option in family disputes involving children or finance.

She said: “Since April this year applicants in family cases have been required, by law, to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting or MIAM, yet there has been no significant increase in the numbers attending. It appears the applicants in many cases are not aware of mediation as an alternative, and the benefits it can bring.

“There are certain measures already in place to inform people, such as information packs given by the courts and the willingness of solicitors to direct people to mediation, although they are not obliged to. However, this is still not enough. Ideally what is needed is an advertising campaign to tell the public what mediation is, how it can help and that they can get legal aid to assist them if they qualify.

“The Government’s commitment to take family disputes away from the courts if at all possible can only be successful if the public are aware of the alternatives that are available to them, such as mediation. This Family Dispute Resolution Week must be the time when the Government makes a concerted effort to reach as many people as possible and ensure they know all the options available to them if facing a family dispute.”

Under the Children and Families Act 2014, which received Royal Assent in April, the government changed the law to help parents and divorcing couples to use alternative solutions when they are suitable and to keep families away from the negative effects that going to court can have.

Previously, the applicant in a family dispute was expected to attend a MIAM and the respondent was invited to attend. Since April 2014, all applicants are required to attend a MIAM, but attendance by the respondent still remains optional.

Family Dispute Resolution Week is organised and promoted by Resolution, the organisation of family lawyers and other professionals in England and Wales who believe in and promote a constructive, non-confrontational approach to family law matters.

Mrs Craggs added: “Those involved in family disputes, both adults and where relevant children, invariably find the involvement of the courts very stressful. It is common sense to take these disputes out of the courts whenever possible. Whilst we’re calling on the Government to make every effort to raise awareness of mediation, we are also calling on the media and individuals to spread the word about mediation. More families across the North-East could genuinely benefit from it, if only they knew it was an option.”