Mediation and Legal Aid and East Devon

Unfortunately, many, perhaps most people, including professionals are not fully clear of the extent of the legal aid cuts. Legal Aid is still available for cases involving social services and to obtain protection orders (Injunctions). It has been mostly scrapped for divorce and child contact and residence. Where someone has been a victim of abuse in the last two years or has a child living with them, where there is a non urgent risk, then provided they can prove the abuse or risk (Detailed rules about acceptable evidence apply) then legal aid is still there. However where there is no abuse or risk or the right evidence, there is no legal aid.  Well not quite none. Legal Aid will only cover family mediation and limited advice in support of the mediation process. The couple have to see the mediator first. As I sit in my office in Honiton, I know that I am the only accredited mediator with a service with a contract to provide legally aided mediation who is based in East Devon.  The other services are essentially focused on Exeter and the A38/M5 corridor.  I have addresses where i can mediate from in Exmouth, Cullompton, Exeter and Taunton and a few other places. I am accessible from Seaton Axminster, Ottery St Mary, Sidmouth and East Devon generally. How did this happen? Well, maybe its because I actually live in east Devon, and have done so for some 15 years and when I decided where to base my own practice, I concluded that there would be a demand for a mediation service based here in Honiton. Give me a call on 01404 819098 if you need me. Trust me, Mediation is generally the best way to sort out family problems anyway.