Written question asked by Mark Oaten (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 25 May 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 5 June 2006. It was answered by Baroness Harman (Labour) on Monday, 5 June 2006 on behalf of the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

Separating Couples

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make early intervention and mediation mandatory for separating couples; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: The Government believe that family mediation has significant advantages in resolving disputes, particularly in relation to children. The Government are taking forward a number of measures to give the strongest possible encouragement to mediation as an alternative to contested court proceedings. However, for mediation to be successful both parties have to enter into it freely and without constraint, and therefore the Government do not believe mediation should be made compulsory.Under the provisions of the Children and Adoption Bill the courts will be able to direct people in disputes over contact with children to attend contact activities, which will provide a range of interventions including programmes, counselling and classes to facilitate contact and also meetings to receive information about mediation. The court will be able to direct people tothe most appropriate intervention for the dispute concerned.

Secondary information