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New pilot Practice Direction 36V reflects the existence of the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme
New Practice Direction 36V is made under rule 36.2 FPR 2010. It modifies the Family Procedure Rules (FPR) and practice directions to reflect the existence of the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme, which launches on 26 March 2021.
The purpose of the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme is to offer a financial contribution of £500 towards mediation costs for eligible cases. The aims of the scheme are to:
- Aid court recovery in response to the pandemic.
- Provide an evidence base around the effectiveness of providing a financial incentive to encourage disputes to be resolved using mediation, instead of the courts, where appropriate.
The pilot Practice Direction specifies which cases it will apply to – see paragraph 1.4 of the attached document.
Its focus is on private law matters relating to children or on financial remedy matters where there is also an ongoing private law dispute relating to children.
For Practice Direction 36V, click here. For more information concerning the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme, click here.