LAB marks 40 years of family-mediation service
The Legal Aid Board has marked the 40th anniversary of its Family Mediation Service (FMS) with an event at its new One Eight building in Dublin’s Newmarket (16 September).
The Legal Aid Board sees mediation as an essential component of a modern family-justice system, attendees heard, and mediation will feature explicitly in its future branding.
The LAB is now working closely with the Department of justice and Home Affairs on the establishment of a mediation council in this jurisdiction.
The future family-justice system would also embed mediation more deeply as a natural part of the resolution of disputes, the event heard.
Established in 1986, the Family Mediation Service offers a free, confidential and impartial service to couples who are separating, divorcing, or living apart.
It assists parents in dealing with relationship breakdown and family-access issues with practical, durable solutions and in reaching mutually acceptable agreements regarding parenting arrangements, finances, property and other issues.
Chief executive Joan Crawford said that mediation was about human connection and finding common ground.
“Mediation helps families move forward not as opponents, but as parents and individuals who must navigate life together,” she said.
Humanity
Even where difficulties appeared profound, progress could begin when people were willing to listen and recognise the humanity of others, she added.
However, too few people fully understood the concept, Crawford added, and increasing awareness was one of the most important challenges.
What began as a pioneering initiative in 1986 had grown into a nationwide service delivered by highly trained mediators, attendees heard.
“We need clearer pathways into mediation and stronger connections between legal services, court services, and mediation services, so that people encounter mediation earlier, before positions become more entrenched and conflicts more difficult to resolve,” the chief executive said.