England and Wales: Funding boost for family court pilot to protect children and domestic abuse victims

Date: 10th February 2025
Category: General measures of implementation, General principles, Violence against children

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Pilot family mediation voucher scheme is launched across Wales and West Yorkshire, aiming to spare families, children, and domestic abuse victims the stress of attending court. The aim is to speed up case resolutions and cut backlogs in family courts.

The Pathfinder programme brings together local authorities, police, and support services to share information early, reducing the need for hostile and unnecessary court hearings. It also offers enhanced support for domestic abuse victims as part of the government’s Plan for Change to tackle violence against women and girls. New data shows the scheme is working, with cases resolved 11 weeks faster and family court backlogs cut by 50% in pilot areas, including Dorset and North Wales.

The family mediation voucher scheme has also been extended for another year to further help families resolve disputes outside the courtroom. The expansion is expected to provide relief for families and ensure a more compassionate and efficient justice system.

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