The Mediation Co-ordinator's Office, set up to implement the Pilot Scheme on Family Mediation, will continue to function after the extended period of the scheme expires on July 31.

The Judiciary said the office will be maintained to continue to hold information sessions for divorcing/separating couples and serve as an enquiry office on family mediation services.

It will also continue to help the parties understand mediation and assist them in obtaining services.

However, they have to bear mediators' fees for new cases from August 1.

Free mediation services will be provided to those who have financial difficulties, such as Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients.

The programme's success rate is nearly 80%. Since its implementation, 845 couples have received and completed mediation. Of them, 669 reached full or partial agreement over disputes on matters such as financial support for spouse and children, child custody and property division. 

The Judiciary has commissioned the Polytechnic University to conduct an evaluation of the full period of the three-year Pilot Scheme.

A final report will be submitted to the Steering Committee on the Pilot Scheme on Family Mediation later this year. 

In light of the evaluation report, the future direction of family mediation will be considered.