THE LAW SOCIETY ACCREDITED FAMILY MEDIATION...

Work started in April 2015 to ensure that the accreditation remains compliant with the Family Mediation Council's  (FMC) updated Professional Standards and Self- Regulatory Framework.

The review was completed in early October 2015. Accredited individuals also became FMC accredited, can carry out Mediation Information and Assessment. Meetings and undertake publicly funded mediation work.

The Law Society stated that as a member organisation of the FMC, the accreditation must be compliant with the requirements of FMC's new framework.

The Law Society's representative on the FMC, the scheme's chief assessor and family law policy experts have been involved in the review. The initial application process now requires the completion of a portfolio, comprising three case commentaries, a reflective account and three case study questions.

A professional practice consultant must observe a mediation session and complete a statement. A new re accreditation process will ensure that practitioners have maintained the required levels of experience and practice.