Back in 2021, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) launched a Mediation Voucher Scheme. It provides a contribution of up to £500 towards the mediation costs per family for eligible cases. The purpose of the voucher is to support people in resolving their family law disputes outside of court and reducing costs for thousands of families.
How does the voucher scheme work in practice?
Participants attend an individual Mediation Information Assessment Meeting (MIAM) where a mediator will be able to tell you whether you’re eligible for a voucher. If the dispute relates to a child or financial matters where you’re also involved in a dispute relating to a child, you’ll be eligible. You’ll need to sign a form allowing us to apply on your behalf. Any contribution will be paid directly to us once the mediation sessions are concluded.
The Mediation Voucher is limited to funding joint sessions only and can’t be used to cover the cost of MIAMs or preparing paperwork. Only one Voucher can be claimed per family as a one-off contribution.
The Voucher contribution will be split between the participants if both are paying in full. If one of you receives Legal Aid, the Voucher contribution will help with costs for the other person.
The benefits of mediation
Anna recently contributed to a Ministry of Justice Press release which acknowledges separation can be incredibly painful. Research is clear that it’s more traumatic with toxic and protracted courtroom battles, which can cause lasting damage to children. Moreover, research sheds light on a sobering reality: when children are exposed to intense and unresolved parental conflict, the repercussions can be profound and lasting. The trauma of parental conflict can take a toll on children’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
The Ministry of Justice Press release featured one of Anna’s clients, Jessica, who said:
We tried hard to be amicable, we didn’t want the children seeing us argue. But when emotions are high it’s hard for both people to have their say without it spiraling into arguments, and we’d got to a point where we just couldn’t do it on our own. Anna was an absolute lifeline, she really helped us to keep calm. Having somebody impartial, who neither of us knew, and who understands how it all works meant we got things sorted really quickly. I wouldn’t have wanted to drag my children through the courts, I just think it would be horrendous. The thought of them being put in a position where they have to choose between parents is awful.
Enabling you to try mediation
The vouchers are hugely beneficial because they allow people to try mediation. You might be surprised to know many can reach a resolution in just a few sessions. Parents can leave with clear parenting and financial plans with the confidence to make it work, without the need for lawyers or courts. So many people believe court is the only option, but in almost all cases, it’s worth trying mediation first.
Mediation is a much cheaper option
The financial value of mediation must not be underestimated. A husband was recently quoted between £20,000 and £40,000 to sort out child and financial arrangements through court. However, he was able to reach a resolution at 5 sessions, costing him less than £1000 after receiving the voucher.
Find out more
Get in touch if you’d like to find out more about mediation or the Mediation Voucher. You can fill out the form on our contact page here or call us on 0113 213 3662. After that, one of our friendly Mediation Assistants will contact you as soon as possible to answer any queries you might have.