Written question asked by Kali Mountford (Labour) on Thursday, 29 March 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 17 April 2007. It was answered by Baroness Harman (Labour) on Tuesday, 17 April 2007 on behalf of the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

Mediation

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans she has to encourage parents to go to mediation instead of court to resolve disputes over their children.

Answer: The Government are committed to encouraging greater use of family mediation. We have established the Family Mediation Helpline and supporting website, sponsored a public awareness campaign, are facilitating judicial awareness seminars and supporting in-court referral schemes.Provisions of the Children and Adoption Act 2006 will enable the court to direct parties in child contact disputes to attend a meeting about mediation. Referrals will also be encouraged through changes to court rules and court forms, particularly in relation to disputes over children.

Secondary information