Inducing demand for family mediation – before and after LASPO

Abstract

This article discusses the ‘unintended’, but by no means unpredicted, consequences of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO) in terms of the drop in family mediation, the various efforts which have been made subsequently to promote it and what we know about how they are working. It places these developments within the context of earlier efforts to promote mediation, and argues that ongoing attempts to induce demand for mediation among divorcing and separating couples face continuing intransigence in the ‘market’ for post-separation services, such that a different approach may be called for.

Keywords:

• Family mediation
• LASPO
• legal aid