Family mediation contracts finally settled

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Contracts to coordinate mediation between separating couples have finally been settled, five weeks after the new mediation services were supposed to replace direct access to the Family Court.

The Ministry of Justice said yesterday that the Presbyterian Church agency Family Works has won contracts to coordinate mediation throughout the country, along with state-owned former ACC subsidiary FairWay Resolution Ltd which has been in the field since March 31.

Since that date, separating couples battling over children have not been able to get into the Family Court without first going to mediation, unless there has been domestic violence or other exceptional circumstances.

Free pre-separation counselling has been abolished, and separating couples will have to pay $897 for mediation unless they qualify for legal aid. The fee will be split equally where there are two warring parties, so if one party qualifies for legal aid and the other doesn't, the one who has to pay will pay only $448.50.

Family Works' northern branch, which launched its service in Manurewa yesterday, said it finalised its contract in "a really intense two months" of negotiations up to late April.

"We went live on April 28. We finalised the contract the week before," said Presbyterian Support Northern chief executive Rod Watts.

The Justice Ministry's new family justice website does not yet list Family Works as a provider south of the Bay of Plenty, but a spokesman confirmed that Family Works Northern had been contracted to coordinate mediation as far south as Hawkes Bay. Southern areas have been contracted to Family Works Central and Upper South Island.

Dr Watts said his board was reluctant to agree to the new contract because the ministry insisted that Family Works had to contract out actual mediation to independent accredited mediators.

"This is the first time we have been willing to deliver services via others in subcontracting arrangements," he said. The agency agreed to take part because mediation complements its existing social work services for families.

FairWay family mediation scheme director Denise Evans said that where neither party qualifies for legal aid, couples will have to pay $236 for an initial meeting to assess whether they are suitable for mediation, and a further $661 for the actual mediation.

The mediator may also suggest preparatory counselling, for an additional fee unless they qualify for legal aid. FairWay has contracted with Relationships Aotearoa for this, and Family Works Northern has contracted with Home and Family Counselling for Auckland services.

FairWay changed its name from Dispute Resolution Services Ltd last October and is now a separate Crown entity.

Family mediation

* Mediation required for most separating couples before court.

* $897 fee unless qualifying for legal aid.

* Extra fee for voluntary counselling.