The Ministry of Justice recently announced that under a “shake-up to the family justice system” mediation would become mandatory in all “suitable low-level” family court cases.

They did note, however, that any cases involving allegations or a history of domestic violence would be excluded from the mediation order.

Partner Alex Carruthers welcomed the changes, detailing how the introduction of the order may not only lighten the load of a family court system bursting at the seams, but also lead to more positive outcomes for families.

Alex commented “the courts are snowed under with cases involving the care of children”, continuing that “agreements that are reached through mediation are more likely to be long lasting than those imposed by the court.”

Read Alex’s comments in The Times here.