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James Debono
At least two separations every day were lodged before the family court in the first six months of 2006, effectively meaning while an average of five new marriages are celebrated every day, another two are ending in separation.
Yet despite these figures, parliamentary secretary for justice Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici insists the situation is not alarming.
Of the 382 cases resorting to mediation in 2006, 229 cases have already been concluded. A further 76 separation suits were filed in the civil court.
A total of 1,811 separations were lodged since December 2003 when the family court was set up – an average of 1.7 separations per day.
Since 2004, there is a slight decrease in the number of separations from 1.9 separations every day, to 1.8 in 2005, only to rise again to two separations per day in the first six months of 2006.
Yet since the introduction of mediation services, the number of those filing for separation in court has seen a slight decline from 165 separations instituted in 2003 to 149 proceedings instituted in 2005.
Mediation is not an attempt to force parties to reconcile. Where parties fail to reconcile, the mediator mediates between them in an effort to reach an agreement to enter into a deed of personal separation by mutual consent.
Apart from helping couples separate peacefully without resorting to further court litigation, mediation services are also aimed at reconciliation.
According to Mifsud Bonnici 20 per cent of all separations in 2005 ended in reconciliation. Figures for 2006 are still being compiled.
jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt
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