CHANGES to legal aid could cause suffering to children as well as divorcing parents, a York mediator has claimed.

Since 1996, anyone requiring legal aid to pay for a solicitor in a separation or divorce had to be referred to mediation to see if the situation could be resolved without the courts. If this was unsuccessful, they could be granted legal aid.

However, since April 1, all legal aid with solicitors for private law matters has ended, unless domestic violence is involved.

Although legal aid is still available for mediation, mediators can no longer claim their share back from solicitors if the cases end up going to court.

Catharine Morris, of York Family Mediation Service, said: “I do recognise that not all people can mediate, nor is it appropriate in every case. The great concern is that access to justice will be limited to those people who can afford it. What will happen to those parents who have no money?

“They will have lost legal aid with a solicitor, so will be without advice and support. Children will lose out, as those non-residential parents will find it harder to have a contact arrangement to see their children.

“There are serious repercussions that can come out of this removal of legal aid. Time will tell what effects it has.”