THE FUTURE OF MEDIATION SERVICES

In a perfect world, at the slightest sign of a dispute all divorcing couples would be made to go to mediation to resolve matters, and those recommendations would be binding on both parties. Unfortunately, we do not live in that perfect world. But there is a growing feeling that mediation services could be more widely used in family courts. A recent report to the Lord Chancellor addressed the issue specifically (a full copy of the report can be found at www.dca.gov.uk/family).

The report considered the use of a mediation service in cases where fathers were having problems in getting access. Although the report recommended some important changes, it did not go far enough. Various fathers’ rights organisations continue to argue and debate about more radical changes, but the fact remains that using mediation is not compulsory, nor are the recommendations of that mediation legally binding on the parents. Until these changes actually become law, then mediation will remain a tool that can be used by divorced dads to help the process, but is a blunt object in getting justice for them or their children.