From dispute to decree: a critical exploration of the client journey through the Legal Aid Board Family Dispute Resolution Services
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Date
2025-12-31
Authors
Rumley, Gordon
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Publisher
University College Cork
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Abstract
This thesis critically explores the journey of judicial separation or divorce among clients of the Legal Aid Board (LAB) and Family Mediations Service (FMS), along with ascertaining how legal and mediation professionals employed by these services understand and describe their clients journey. Employing a socio-legal methodological framework, and drawing on interviews with clients, solicitors, and mediators, as well as a quantitative analysis of service data from the LAB and Family Mediation Service (FMS), the findings highlight persistent systemic issues despite ongoing reform efforts. Three central themes emerge: access to justice, autonomy, and the integration of mediation and legal services. The research illustrates how access to justice now encompasses both legal and non-legal supports, while party autonomy is increasingly shaped by the procedural design of dispute resolution processes. Integration, meanwhile, is shown to require more than physical co-location. Rather, true synergy demands coordinated delivery and shared professional ethos across services. In this context, the thesis proposes a number of evidence-based reforms. It calls for a systemic, coordinated approach to reform that aligns with emerging legislative frameworks and the evolving needs of service users. In doing so, it aims to enhance the accessibility, efficiency, and client experience of dispute resolution in cases of separation or divorce in Ireland.
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Keywords
Family law , Divorce , Separation , Mediation , Conflict resolution , Alternative dispute resolution , Empirical , Mixed-methods
Citation
Rumley, G. 2025. From dispute to decree: a critical exploration of the client journey through the Legal Aid Board Family Dispute Resolution Services. PhD Thesis, University College Cork.