When it comes to ideas for promoting mediation in family cases, it seems the Ministry of Justice is all ears. Mediation can be less drawn-out and traumatic for family members, and of course it also happens to save the MoJ more than a bob or two in legal fees. The only problem is that pesky clients are not always altogether keen on mediating, which is why the MoJ recently laid on tea and biscuits for family lawyers at its posh Petty France offices, hosting a seminar to discuss how to get the mediation message across to the public. Participants were asked to come up with an advertising slogan to promote family mediation.Obiter particularly liked one that followed the Green Cross Code method: ‘Stop. Think. Mediate.’ The MoJ then asked where best to place the ads, before seeking advice on what single low-cost measure it could take to increase the use of mediation. To which the majority said, make it compulsory for parties to consider mediation in family cases; something that justice minister Bridget Prentice seemed to take on board. A good result all-round for the MoJ. Not only will savings be made by compulsory mediation; the department also got some top-notch consultancy advice from expert family law professionals for the cost of a few garibaldis and a nice cuppa. Now that really is taking the biscuit.