UK Sees Startling Drop in Family Mediation Referrals

Recent statistics from the United Kingdom show a drop in family mediation referrals, which have fallen an average of 26 percent from April to June 2013, compared to the same period last year. A number of possible reasons have been given to account for this drop, including a cut in legal aid funding for family law cases, following which courts have reported a substantial increase in cases filed. The drop in referrals has implications for the health of the mediation industry, which are potentially concerning in light of the possibility that family mediation will be made compulsory in January 2014.