Legal Aid Board and Minister of State Niall Collins Open New Law and Family Mediation Centre in Castlebar

Friday, 27th March 2025: Legal Aid Board CEO Joan Crawford and Minister of State Niall Collins TD today formally opened a new Law and Family Mediation Centre in Cavendish House, Castlebar. Co-locating the Legal Aid Board’s former Law Centre and Family Mediation Office under one roof, the new Law and Family Mediation Centre will deliver enhanced access to justice for people in the region.

The Legal Aid Board provides a legal aid and advice service to those who qualify, and its Family Mediation Service provides a mediation service to families who are divorcing, separating or living apart at no cost. By now offering legal aid and family mediation services in one location, the Legal Aid Board aims to provide greater support to those who need it. The new Law and Family Mediation Centre delivers on the goals of the Legal Aid Board Statement of Strategy 2024-2025.

Speaking at the opening, CEO of the Legal Aid Board 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.  Each case resolved and each person supported signifies the importance of what we do, and this new Centre is expected to assist more than 1,000 people in its first year of operation. 

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.”

Commentating at the launch, Minister of State Niall Collins said:

“The opening of this new Centre in Castlebar will further enhance the work of the Legal Aid Board towards their mission to empower communities through accessible civil legal aid and family mediation services.

“The Department of Justice greatly values the work of the 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.”

You can find more information at LegalAidBoard.ie