Family Mediation Voucher Scheme
The family mediation voucher scheme is a time-limited scheme. It has been designed to support clients who may be able to resolve their family law disputes outside of family court, using mediation as dispute resolution.
The Government set up the scheme in response to Covid-19 to support recovery in the family court and to encourage more people to consider mediation as a means of resolving their disputes, where appropriate. To support this, a financial contribution of up to £500 towards the costs of mediation will be provided, if you are eligible.
On attendance of a MIAM, a trained mediator will assess the issues which you seek to resolve to see if they are suitable for mediation. They will also access whether you meet the eligibility requirements for the voucher scheme.
Not all cases are eligible under the scheme.
The case types specified below are eligible for a mediation voucher:
1.) A dispute/application regarding a child
2.) A dispute/application regarding family financial matters where you are also involved in a dispute/application relating to a child.
You will be asked to confirm that you have:
1.) Asked the mediator to apply for the voucher
2.) Not already applied for another voucher as part of the same scheme
3.) Given consent to your mediator providing your necessary information to the Family Mediation Council. This includes your name, the bill for mediation services you receive from the mediator and some basic information about your case. This is necessary in order to process your claim and allocate the voucher payment.
If your case has been allocated a voucher and you have attended mediation, your mediator can still submit a claim and upload their invoice for payment irrespective of the outcome of the mediation.
Family Mediation Voucher scheme limits:
Under the Children Act 1989 an application in respect of a child cannot be made before the child is born - as such, voucher funding cannot be made available either.
You can only claim once per family/ case for a one-off contribution of up to £500 towards your mediation costs.
If you have an application or dispute relating to a child and also have a financial issue application or dispute ongoing at the same time, you can still only receive up to £500.
If you make a second application and have already received a voucher, you will not be offered a second voucher under this scheme.
Please contact us for more information about the scheme, or else you can read more on the Family Mediation Council website, accessible through this link.