NI: Consultation opens on funding mediation through legal aid in non-family civil cases

NI: Consultation opens on funding mediation through legal aid in non-family civil cases

Naomi Long

Proposals on how to fund mediation in non-family civil cases where legal aid has been granted have gone out for consultation.

The consultation follows a High Court ruling in 2019 which found that legal aid for mediation is within the scope of a legal aid certificate in non-family cases.

The consultation document sets out the cost and length of mediation to be allowed in cases without prior approval from the Legal Services Agency NI, as well as issues such as accreditation for mediators.

Justice Minister Naomi Long said: “We have been working with the Law Society, Bar and other providers of mediation services to develop an approach to the authorisation of mediation in legally aided cases and the fees payable and have developed a set of proposals on which to consult.”

The consultation will run until 29 June 2021.

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