Resolution, the family lawyers' organisation, has warned that a lack of properly accredited mediators may mean that some divorcing couples will be unable to comply with the recently announced requirement to seek mediation.
From April, anyone setting out to contest the terms of their separation in court will first be required to consider mediation, under a new protocol agreed with the Judiciary. However, according to the Law Society Gazette, Resolution is concerned that an initial shortage of mediators may mean that divorcing couples will be able to bypass this provision, and instead go straight to court.
The Gazette also reports that Resolution has expressed concerns that couples may end up using mediators who are not properly qualified.