Mediation is a safe, voluntary process facilitated by a professional, neutral and impartial mediator who allows each party to respectfully contribute to resolve family separation issues, by reducing conflict and improving communication. Our mediators have been approved by The Ministry of the Attorney General to provide mediation services in your community. They are trained to help you find solutions that are right for you and your family.

Information and Referral Coordinator (IRC) can be found in the Family Law Information Centre (FLIC) located in each Court every week on a by-location basis, usually on Family Court Days. The IRC has community information both on-site and direction to existing services available in your community to help you and your family deal with separation and parenting.

Mandatory Information Program (MIP) is available to people involved with the Family Court and people may will be required to attend a Mandatory Information Program. This Program will provide you with information about separation and the legal system.


FIND a Mandatory Information Program (MIP)

Mandatory Information Program

The Family
Mediation Centre

Contracted by the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General to provide a range of services for those who are experiencing family law issues in the following locations:

  • London
  • Chatham
  • Owen Sound
  • Sarnia
  • Stratford
  • Goderich
  • Woodstock
  • Walkerton
  • St. Thomas

Our Services Include 

Start Here - Mediation Information Form

The Family Mediation Centre was created out of a desire to give people a voluntary opportunity to resolve family conflicts in a cost-effective and timely manner.

It creates the opportunity to finalize an agreement without spending years of precious time and excessive amounts of money to have the court system determine a solution. Mediation uses the assistance of an impartial mediator to help you identify your goals. 

The mediator helps you work towards reaching a mutually agreeable answer to what may appear to be an impossible situation.  You discover and decide the options that help you resolve your dispute.

The Family Mediation Centre has a team of accredited Mediators that can assist you with the following:

  • Separation and Divorce 
  • Parental Decision Making (custody) 
  • Parenting Time (access) 
  • Extended Family Access
  • Parenting Plans 
  • Child and/or Spousal Support 
  • Possession of the Matrimonial Home 
  • Division of Property 
  • Marital Equalization 
  • Child Inclusive Mediation
  • Elder Mediation
  • Changes to an Existing Agreement 
  • Addition to an Existing Agreement

Information and Referral Coordinators (IRCs) are available to help you with:

  • Information on issues related to separation and divorce, information about mediation, collaborative family law, arbitration, and local community resources including programs available for children
  • Helping to determine needs and making referrals to available community resources that address those needs
  • Promoting the use of non-adversarial resolution options in appropriate cases, and providing clients with information about local resources, including the court-connected mediation program
  • Assessing high-risk cases and supporting clients who need emergency assistance with legal and non-legal resources
  • Referring clients with urgent legal needs to advice counsel or duty counsel or other legal alternative programs
  • Facilitating MIP registrations for parties required by the court to attend as well as interested clients who have not yet begun court proceedings

Mandatory Information Program (MIP)

The MIP session is the first step in your family court process. The MIP gives you an overview of important information including: 

  • The impact of separation and divorce on children and adults
  • How to help children cope with divorce
  • Legal issues and options for legal services
  • Alternate methods of dispute resolution
  • An understanding of the court process
The Family Mediation Centre

A dedicated team of highly qualified professionals that can support you as you navigate family law issues.

We have a roster of experienced mediators and service providers on staff to assist you. All mediators are recognized by the Ontario Government as qualified mediators and are accredited by Ontario Association for Family Mediation (OAFM).

Meet the Team