Will the mediation Bill be subject to pre-legislative scrutiny any time soon? I firmly believe litigation should be the last port of call and that all disputants should try mediation. The Bill will place a statutory obligation on barristers to advise on mediation. I would like it to be considered in the House as soon as possible.

I agree with the Deputy's points on mediation. A family mediation Bill is being worked on and I certainly hope we will be in a position to have it proceed to pre-legislative scrutiny stage in the autumn. Great progress has been made on the Bill and the staff of the Office of the Attorney General have been working on it. I hope we will be in a position to publish it very soon.