COVID-19
Service Delivery Notice

The Ministry of the Attorney General has directed us to modify the delivery of our services during the COVID-19 outbreak.

All our services continue to be delivered remotely to protect everyones safety.

Please call our toll free number at 1-888-796-0483, enter your local extension and leave a message with your telephone number. A Mediator or Information and Referral Coordinator will return your call on their next regular shift.

The Mediation Centre provides court-connected on-site mediation services, comprehensive off-site mediation services (if you are not in court), information & referral (IRC) services, and Mandatory Information Programs (MIP’s) to those in the London, Chatham, Owen Sound, Sarnia, Stratford, Goderich, Woodstock, Walkerton and St. Thomas areas who are experiencing family law difficulties, relating to separation and divorce. The Mediation Centre also provides mediation training, internships and practicums for aspiring mediators.

Family mediation is a voluntary method of dispute resolution where a neutral third party can help parties resolve issues arising out of their family law matter. Issues for mediation may include custody, access, child support, spousal support, and division of property.

As a non-adversarial process, mediation allows the parties to discuss the issues in a safe environment and work towards a mutual agreement. Mediation is appropriate for parties who can communicate their needs and concerns, listen to the needs and concerns of the other party, and who are willing to work out an agreement. However, mediation is not appropriate for all people, and all potential cases are thoroughly screened for barriers to safe, equal bargaining, such as power imbalances.

The potential benefits of mediation may include saving time and money as well as reducing the conflict between the parties. If there are children of the relationship, mediation helps the parties remember that they will always be parents, and as such will still need to maintain a businesslike co-parenting civil relationship to increase the chance that the children can thrive, be healthy and cope with the many changes in their lives.

We have an experienced roster of mediators and service providers on staff to assist you. All mediators are recognised by the Ontario Government as qualified mediators, and are accredited by Family Mediation Canada (FMC), or Ontario Association for Family Mediation (OAFM) or the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario (ADRIO).