The Ministry of Justice and judiciary have agreed the new requirement, which will be added to the Family Proceeding Rules from 6 April. This requires the person initiating the case to arrange a mediation awareness session with the other party through a professional mediator.
The couple can attend this session individually or together. Courts will not consider dealing with a separation case until this session has taken place.
The move is aimed at saving court costs and time and to create a less confrontational system of solving family disputes.
In cases involving domestic violence or child protection this latest requirement will not apply.
Justice minister Jonathan Djanogly said: "Mediation is a quicker, cheaper and a more amicable alternative, particularly where children are concerned."
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