Children caught in the middle of family breakdown court battles are at long-term risk from trauma, a charity is warning today.
Family Mediation NI (FMNI) says the process is costing the public almost £8.9m annually.
Despite FMNI’s efforts to ensure greater access to mediation for more separated families, it says there continues to be more and more acrimonious family splits entering the court room.
The group warns that the impact of these “poorly managed, high conflict parental separations”, as well as long waiting times to obtain a contact order, can result in long lasting negative consequences for children.
Statistics show that an average of 5,500 children are subject to contact and residency orders in Northern Ireland courts annually, which is a spend of £8.9m in legal aid.
Meanwhile just £225,000 has been spent on family mediation with FMNI annually through a contract with the Health and Social Care Board.
FMNI say family mediation is more productive in empowering parents to agree co-parenting going forward, when accessed early during the separation process.
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