The government is set to introduce a new wave of Family Court reforms in the coming days, with Prime Minister Robert Abela saying the changes will place greater emphasis on mediation and protecting children during separation proceedings.Speaking on ONE, Abela said legal notices introducing the new measures will be published this week, building on the first phase of reforms introduced earlier this year.“We’re going to be putting a lot of emphasis on mediation,” Abela said.Under the changes, mediation proceedings will be given specific timelines, with the aim of resolving disputes sooner and reducing the number of separating couples who end up fighting their cases in court.Abela said prolonged disputes can have a particularly damaging impact on children.“The couple suffers, as does the extended family, but children bear the brunt of it when they see their parents’ marriage breaking up, their parents arguing and even seeking criminal proceedings against one another – it’s a psychological and emotional trauma,” he said.The reform will also introduce greater clarity and consistency when it comes to matters including maintenance payments and child custody, while domestic violence and its potential impact on children will also be taken into consideration.According to Abela, the central aim of the changes is to protect children’s interests while avoiding unnecessary delays in proceedings.During the interview, the Prime Minister also touched on several other reforms being pursued during the government’s first 100 days, including changes to planning appeals and IVF services.He also discussed the recently introduced on-the-spot fines targeting tourists who disturb public order, saying the minimum fine has now been doubled to €50.“We’re a hospitable country, but those who visit us must respect our law. It cannot be that our people are living with these inconveniences,” Abela said.Do you think Malta’s Family Court system needs an overhaul?•