Reflections in the Aftermath of the Family Mediation Pilot

Abstract

Sufficient time has elapsed since completing the research into the Legal Services Commission (LSC)'s family mediation pilot for me to reflect upon some of the broader lessons of the study. The LSC's objectives were to test the relative benefits and cost effectiveness of different supplier arrangements, to develop a system of contracting, and to explore the viability of mediation as an alternative to lawyer negotiation and representation. The research team's agenda was always broader than this, and I think in general it is reasonable, and indeed desirable, for academic researchers to be prepared to explore a wider range of questions than those identified by their customer.

Keywords: child law, family law, mediation, legal services commission, lawyer negotiation, representation