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LAB opens co-located mediation centre for Mayo

Cavendish House in Castlebar is the site for a new Legal Aid Board law and family-mediation centre.

The new centre will co-locate the former law centre and family-mediation office under one roof.

It is expected to give legal aid and advice service to over 1,000 people who qualify in its first year.

Chief executive Joan Crawford said: “The Legal Aid Board has had a presence in Castlebar since 1985, and it is a great honour to mark the launch of the new law and family-mediation centre today (28 March).

“I would like to thank the support of the Department of Justice and the minister, who have given family law a real prominence especially with regard to the family-justice strategy, and the judiciary who work with us and play an essential role in upholding justice.”

Values

At the opening Minister of State Niall Collins said: “The Department of Justice greatly values the work of the Legal Aid Board, which makes a significant and positive difference to thousands of people every year.

“The work of the board is central to a number of reforms my department is implementing in the first family-justice strategy, in particular promoting the use of non-court options to help families resolve their problems, where possible and appropriate.”