§ Mr. McFallTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has(a) to pilot a court-annexed mediation project in the Scottish courts and (b) to introduce a state-funded mediation agency related to court matters. [12091]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonMy right hon. Friend has no such plans. There are existing rules of court which allows cases to be referred for mediation in relation to family actions and these are used approximately 1,000 cases per annum. The sheriff court rules council is currently considering the procedure rules in relation to mediation and conciliation and considering whether there is any need to strengthen these rules.