A mediation expert in the north west is welcoming the recent signing into law of new legislation which promotes mediation as an alternative to court action.
Under the Mediation Act 2017, solicitors are obliged to advise people in civil disputes to consider mediation.
And in family law cases, people will be required to attened an information session on mediation.
The new legislation aims to reduce costs, speed up resolutions and relieve the stress of going to court.
Sabine Walsh, from Sligo, who provides mediation services in the north west, says they in the Mediation Institute of Ireland have been waiting a long time for this new legislation to be passed:
