The benefits of engaging in family mediation rather than thrashing out deals in court have been steadily gaining traction over the last few years. There is less acrimony, fewer and lower legal fees, a lessened impact on children and overall a reduction in stress at what is very straining time.
Mediation and relationship contracts are on the rise over in the USA and the UK, and now Australia is looking to do the same, seeking to overhaul their system of family law, examining whether it is overly adversarial and what impact that has on children.
The Government announced on Thursday that the Australian Law Reform Commission is set to undertake the most comprehensive review of the family law system since 1976.
Attorney-General George Brandis called it “necessary and long-overdue”, continuing that “Australian Families and their needs have significantly evolved since the 1970s.”
The review will examine the confrontational nature of family law cases including divorce and custody battles.
“There is certainly a body of opinion among family law practitioners that the adversarial mode in which family law proceedings are conducted is not the perfect model,” he told the ABC.
“It’s always better that disputes be resolved by mediation rather than by litigation, particularly though when they concern intimate relationships, people at a fraught and despairing time of their lives.”
The review will also look at how the system might be better able to support families, reduce legal costs, and resolve cases more quickly.
About The Family Mediation Practice
The Family Mediation Practice is a team of independent family mediators who help divorcing and separating couples to come to an agreement rather than fighting things out in the courts.
Depending on your circumstances, legal aid could be available to fund your family mediation.
Contact The Family Mediation Practice
You can contact any of our independent family mediators direct by calling 0333 567 0377. You can also send a confidential message by clicking here.
