Mediation service to get a divorce could be law

Proposed changes to Jersey's divorce laws could see couples legally forced to use mediation services before splitting up.

Mediators say it helps settle disputes over children and finances outside the court system, and so it avoids the expense of lawyers.

The process, which already exists in the UK, has been criticised as a box-ticking exercise and just an excuse to scrap legal aid for divorcees.

Barbara Corbett from Family Mediation says the process could be a lot less painful and cheaper if there was more communication.