The Voucher Scheme
On 26th March 2021, the Government launched a scheme to provide around 2000 families with a £500 voucher to be used towards the cost of attending mediation.
Cases eligible for the scheme include matters involving disputes about children and financial matters where the parties are also a dispute about children matters.
To be considered for the scheme, you will need to attend an initial Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) with a mediator. At the MIAM, a trained mediator will assess the issues you seek to resolve to see if they are suitable for mediation and meet the voucher scheme's eligibility requirements.
If following your MIAM, you decide to proceed with mediation and are eligible for the scheme; the mediator will claim the voucher on your behalf. It will be paid directly to the mediator once the mediation sessions are concluded.
There are a limited number of mediation vouchers available, and they will be offered to eligible parties until they are no longer available.
Attending Mediation
At Myerson, we always encourage clients to attend mediation if it is suitable and safe to do so. The Ministry of Justice states that research suggests that more than 70% of parties using mediation services will resolve their issues outside of court.
Mediation can help you make informed decisions that are right for your circumstances. It can provide a forum where you can talk calmly and privately in the presence of an independent trained mediator.
If you are in the process of separating, mediation can be useful if you need to discuss the time that your children will spend with each parent or the financial arrangements. A mediator will help you to focus on what is best for your children so that you are more likely to reach an agreement that works for everyone.
It is important that you receive independent legal advice alongside the mediation process, so please get in touch if we can help.
The family team at Myerson are all members of Resolution, an organisation of family professionals committed to promoting a constructive approach to family issues that considers the needs of the whole family.
Here to Help
If you would like further information on how we can help or if you have any more questions on the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our Family team on 0161 941 4000 or email the Myerson Family Law Team.