NCJ Number
130638
Journal
Mediation Quarterly Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Dated: (Summer 1991) Pages: 253-264
Date Published
1991
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Traditional attitudes toward family life and divorce have made it difficult for divorce mediators to gain acceptance in England and Wales. However, over 50 mediation services, independent of the courts and legal system, have been established in the past 15 years. These services have grown as an extension of the statutory work of the probation service and have also developed in the voluntary, charitable welfare sector.
Abstract
Mediation services in England have faced a number of obstacles including lack of a supportive legislative framework, lack of coordinated development, disagreement on theoretical and practical issues, minimal resources and inadequate training, and low referral rates. Changes in child and divorce legislation will probably lead to more opportunities for family mediation. Other positive developments include the growing support of lawyers, high profile media publicity, and some research pointing out the benefits of mediation. 15 references (Author abstract modified)