Press Release

 

 

Pilot scheme on Family Mediation launched today

***********************************************

The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary :

The success of the Pilot Scheme on Family Mediation will greatly rely on the support and cooperation of all concerned, including the judges, lawyers and social workers.

The Honourable Chief Justice Andrew Kwok-nang Li said this today (May 2) at the launching ceremony of the Pilot Scheme.

Mr Justice Li said : "I firmly trust that the accredited family mediators will render their full support to the Pilot Scheme and with their skills and experiences, the mediators will provide their clients with a quality and efficient mediation service.

"Mediation is a non-adversarial approach to resolving disputes arising from marital breakdown.

"The mediator assists separating/divorcing couples in reaching an amicable settlement minimizing the acrimony which may adversely impact on the welfare of children. Mediation can save litigation costs and time,"

The Chief Justice noted the mediation service would be provided on a voluntary basis. The primary objective of the Scheme, scheduled for a period of three years, was to test the effectiveness of mediation in resolving matrimonial disputes in Hong Kong.

Mr Justice Li said : "the Practice Direction on the Pilot Scheme on Family Mediation has come into effect today.

"Under the Pilot Scheme, the lawyers are obliged to advise their clients of mediation and how it may assist in the proceedings. As regards those acting in person, the staff of the Family Court Registry would provide the advice and assistance.

"The Mediation Co-ordinator's Office has been set up within the Family Court Building. The office is fully furnished and equipped.

"Procedures for providing the mediation service under the Pilot Scheme have also been worked out so as to facilitate those who are interested to attempt mediation to receive the service promptly and conveniently.

"In addition, the Judiciary has appointed the Hong Kong Polytechnic University to conduct the evaluation of the Pilot Scheme and the research team will submit a mid-term and a full evaluation report respectively to the Steering Committee on the Pilot Scheme on Family Mediation,"

The Chief Justice said the smooth implementation of the Scheme would not be achieved without the support and contribution of the members of the Steering Committee.

The Steering Committee was chaired by the Honourable Mr Justice Hartmann, Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court, and comprised representatives of Hong Kong Bar Association, Law Society of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Family Law Association, Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, Hong Kong Council of Social Service, and the government departments concerned.

End/Tuesday, May 2, 2000

NNNN