Access to Justice Act

HC Deb 15 October 2001 vol 372 cc1023-4W

Mr. Kidney

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what progress has been achieved under the provisions of the Access to Justice Act 1999 in persuading suppliers of legal services to try mediation in appropriate cases in place of litigation. [7708]

Ms Rosie Winterton

The Legal Services Commission continues to support mediation a rid other forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) for both family and non-family disputes. The number of mediations has been increasing steadily, and there were 9,076 family mediations in the period April 2000 to March 2001. The Funding Code's decision-making guidance encourages the use of ADR, especially where it avoids lengthy, contested proceedings in court.

The Legal Services Commission has worked with Mediation UK and other bodies to develop a quality standard for both family and community mediation services. The Mediation Quality Mark standard has been published for consultation. The closing date for responses is 2 November 2001.

There is also a leaflet on ADR in the recently issued series of Community Legal Service information leaflets.