28/03/2014

Separating Couples Urged To Use Mediation

Thousands of separating couples are being urged to spurn confrontational courtroom battles and use mediation to sort out disputes over their property, finances and children, as new figures reveal the ten busiest divorce courts in England and Wales.

Courts in Birmingham, Weston-super-mare and Coventry head the list, followed by Romford, Leicester and Bristol as well as Norwich, Leeds, Chelmsford and Manchester.

In light of these figures Family Justice Minister Simon Hughes has called on parents and couples who have made the difficult decision to divorce to use mediation to sort out disputes over their property, finances and children, rather than face the stressful experience of going to court.

He said people can now use the new user-friendly Family Mediation Council website to find a local mediator to help them.

Family Justice Minister Simon Hughes said: "Mediation works in helping to sort out disputes over finances and children. We are committed to making sure that more people make use of it rather than go through the confrontational and stressful experience of going to court.

"These figures show thousands of people are sadly still divorcing each year. We want them to do it in the least damaging way for everyone involved, especially children. That is why we want them to use the excellent mediation services available to agree a way forward, rather than have one forced upon them in the courts."

(CVS/CD)




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