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MoJ Announces Extension to Family Mediation Voucher Scheme

The FMC are delighted to confirm that Lord Ponsonby, the Minister responsible for family justice, has confirmed that the family mediation voucher scheme will be continued for a further year, to March 2026.

The welcome news came yesterday evening at a pre Family Mediation Week reception arranged by the Family Mediation Council and kindly hosted by Family Law in Partnership. 

Following the news, Stephen Burke, Chair of The Family Mediation Council (FMC), said: "Analysis of the family mediation voucher scheme has shown it to be successful in helping people make important agreements without the need to go to court. The FMC welcomes its extension, not least as this will continue to ensure that families on low incomes can access mediation to help them resolve conflict."

As well as confirming an extension of the scheme for a further year, the Minister reiterated his and the government's support for family mediation, emphasising that he was working on multi-year funding for the scheme. The Minister stressed how important data gathered from the scheme was in demonstrating not just the success of family mediation, but of the scheme itself in ensuring families can resolve issues without needing to turn to the court. The Family Mediation Council will therefore continue to work with the mediators to ensure the MoJ has all the data it needs to be able to demonstrate the value for money that the scheme offers the government and the public purse.

Family Mediation Week starts on Monday, 27 January and so the news comes in time for mediators to confidently promote the availability of the voucher scheme as part of efforts to increase awareness of family mediation throughout the week. 
             

 
Changes To The Family Procedure Rules