Legal Updates

Mediation ''can be effective''

Date:  08 Aug 2008

Mediation is a more constructive, calm and less costly way of ending a same-sex civil partnership, according to one legal expert.

Geoff Mountjoy, regional director of the Legal Services Commission''s south region, says only one-fifth of people who could use mediation actually do so.

Speaking to the Bristol Evening Post he said: "I''m keen to encourage people to consider mediation as it is a much more constructive, calm and less costly alternative to going to court when a relationship breaks down.

"Not only is mediation less costly for the tax payer, it is considerably faster in settling disputes, taking around four months."
Court cases to dissolve the partnership can take up to a year, he added.

The news provider reports figures from the Audit Commission, which show that the average annual cost to the taxpayer of non-mediated cases is £74 million.

If 14 per cent of those cases were resolved through mediation it could save £10m a year.

Comedian Matt Lucas announced his split from his partner of six years in June and reports suggested their ''divorce'' could be seen as a test case.

Andrew Hamilton our Senior Matrimonial Solicitor specialises in all aspects of Matrimonial and Family Matters

back to Legal Updates