Yesterday afternoon I received an email from the Ministry of Justice inviting me to 'blog' about their news release regarding the announcement on compulsory mediation assessment. I declined, pointing out that I had put a link to their news story (as against the news release) on Family Lore Focus, but that I thought I had covered the story enough for now on Family Lore. Well, it seems that I lied about the last part, as a couple of items that showed up in my feed reader this morning have prompted me to mention the story again.It seems that I was not the only one to receive an email from the Ministry of Justice. Pink Tape received one as well, prompting her to 'blog' A GIFT from the MoJ, in which she dissects what she calls 'the fatuous press release'. Here's a taste:
"Do not think I am opposed to mediation. I’m not. It’s not mediation or the promotion of mediation I’m attacking. It’s the promotion of mediation as a potential solution for everyone (with the exception of a limited category of dv sufferers) and the fingers in ears approach to suggestions that there may only be a smallish proportion of the types of cases that currently go through the courts that can successfully be diverted elsewhere."
Excellent stuff, and well worth a read.
Pink Tape is not the only one with something critical to say about the announcement. Family Law points out that the proposals have been announced despite a national shortage of family law mediators, something that I have suggested here myself. Even the Telegraph is putting the boot in today, with a story publicising criticisms of the Government for promoting mediation to mask planned cuts to legal aid.
I don't know whether it is due to pressure from the high level of opposition to the Government's proposals regarding mediation and legal aid, but Justice Minister Jonathan Djanogly's grip on things seems to be hanging by a thread after two recent parliamentary blunders, amusingly pointed out by Obiter in the Law Society Gazette today.
So, a question then. How does one become a family law mediator? What qualifications (if any) are required? What type of people usually do it?Anyone?
ReplyDeleteI just had a thought that they were lawyers with no interest in making the thing work, or feminist probation officers. Might be wrong, but that has been my expeience.
Someone like Ann Widdecoombe I would like or Polly Toyneby or Madge Rosenthal (Daily Mail person, may have got her name wrong). Perhaps it is below their paygrade though. Although I'd pay £300 an hour for Polly to mediate, no worries. Or Claudia Schieffer perhaps. But not Katie Price. Frank Bruno might also be interesting, or Lennox Lewis. Yes, Lennow would be a big hit and good mediator I think. Advice to him if he is listening. Probably below his pay grade also though unfortunately.
You can find the answers to your questions here. (Scroll down to the question "family mediators - who are they, are they qualified, and where can I find one?")
ReplyDeletedo feminist probation officers EVEN exist?
ReplyDeletedo feminist ex-probation officer mediators exist?
how does one spot them? is it the shoes?
:-)
ReplyDeleteThey stare at the man when in mediation the whole time, looking like they want to kill him for being a paedo. Happened to me. I was frightened to move for him attacking me. My ex wife and him had a session and he obviously swallowed it hook line and sinker. He advised also that he was a probation officer. Was a very bad session. The feminist female ones do wear sensible shoes also I think.
ReplyDeleteDavid, you crack me up sometimes.
ReplyDeletethem feminists eh? still destroying the fabric of western civilisation. and pushing up the price of sensible shoes. good for the unthinking cliche industry, though.
ReplyDeleteps your word verification 'menver' - insulting and sexist. i'm reporting you to ... somebody.
menver, what you on about?
ReplyDeleteI think he's joking, David.
ReplyDeletedon't you oppress me by not taking my comments seriously, john! you're double reported.
ReplyDeleteword verification a bit better: misibui. it celebrates the struggle of the female spirit.
Sorry, sw.
ReplyDeleteDon't you oppress me with all this talk of 'struggle'. It's not that bad.
ReplyDeleteIs it a choice of women oppressing men or men oppressing women? Probably.
I Wear the trousers in my household anyway.
Admittedly, only I live there (with the exception of my girlfriend and her children and my children and our child from time to time).
I am getting confused. I probably do oppress women, rather than them oppress me. But I do definitely wear trousers, I do know that much, I think.
wearing trousers is a good start. better than not wearing trousers, i reckon.
ReplyDelete(unless they are the trousers of oppression).
Lol, 'the trousers of oppression', I like the sound of that. Not sure what it means, but sounds like fun, could be wrong though, don't mean to upset anyone.
ReplyDelete