§ Baroness Anelay of St. Johnsasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their estimate of the saving to the courts resulting from the growth in mediation services since 1995. [HL 1179]
§ The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg)In family proceedings the Government are encouraging the use of mediation to resolve disputes. Public funding for mediation is available under the provisions of Part III of the Family Law Act 1996, whose provisions are being given effect by the issuing of local mediation franchises, the first phase of which commenced in May 1997. When this process is complete, it is expected that significant savings in legal aid expenditure will result from the use of mediation as opposed to litigation or arm's length negotiation between lawyers.
In the area of non-family civil disputes, mediation has, for the most part, developed independently of the courts. There is insufficient information available upon which to base any estimate of savings to the courts.