Figures published earlier this week have revealed that during the month of May, there was a record rise in the number of child custody cases being heard in front of the courts.
The figures, compiled by the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service show that last month over nine thousand new private law case were heard in the courts; with nine out of ten of those reportedly relating to parental custody battles.
The number of cases heard last month was a rise of twenty-seven percent compared to figures for the same time last year; and the rise in cases is being put down to the removal of legal aid for couples in most divorce cases.
At the beginning of April this year, changes came into force which sees legal aid being removed for an estimated two-hundred thousand people who previously qualified for the support during legal cases.
Whilst the figures published by the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service have reported a rise in “private law” cases being heard relating to parental custody cases; additional figures have revealed that mediation services have experienced a drop.
Mediation is a government scheme which has been designed to prevent domestic disputes – particularly those involving children – from having to go through lengthy court cases.
Via a mediation service – which is often a more flexible, speedy and cost-effective way to resolve disputes – each party involved is able to explain and discuss their needs and concerns to each other, in the presence of a mediator, who will assist in an agreement being reached.
However, it is believed that with fewer people seeking advice from solicitors as a result of legal aid cuts, mediation recommendations are falling.