Mediation offers separating couples way to avoid stress of court battles

Separating couples anxious to avoid taking their child custody and property battles to court have been turning in increasing numbers to the Family Mediation Service.

The service, set up two years ago by the Legal Aid Board and the Courts Service, has just concluded its 500th agreement and moves are under way to expand it beyond the city locations where it currently operates.

Couples applying to the free service can be married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting, and the main stipulation for participation is that they need to share a wish to avoid the courts where proceedings can be costly, lengthy, adversarial and acrimonious.