Conflict mediation

Conflict mediation is offered free of charge by the Agency of Family Law. It is voluntary conflict resolution which is offered completely independently of the ordinary case processing by the Agency of Family Law. Thus, you need not have a pending custody, residence, or visitation case to make use of the offer, nor does it open a case if you do so. Conflict mediation differs significantly from other types of offers, as a very special methodology is used.

What makes conflict mediation special is:

• That you decide for yourselves what you want to use the mediation for: whether you want to focus on resolving specific disagreements, or whether you want to focus on making your parental cooperation work in general
• That the mediator uses a methodology that helps you get things discussed such that you gain greater insight into each other’s ways of thinking and spot new possibilities
• That the mediator does not contribute with advice or guidance, nor can they decide what you shall do

Conflict mediation is recognised worldwide as a particularly lasting way of resolving conflicts. You gain greater ownership of the agreements you have made, because you as a participant have an influence and a responsibility to reach the needed agreements. A good mediation process can also lay the foundation on which you can handle future disagreements yourselves.

You can turn to the Agency of Family Law at any time for conflict mediation. Conflict mediation can only be carried out if you are both willing participants. If you disagree about doing conflict mediation, you may want to seek counselling by a child expert, which is also open and free to all divorced parents.

Conflict mediation is a free and voluntary offer to all parents who have separated and whom either disagree on specific matters concerning the children, or need general help in making their parental cooperation work.

Conflict mediation is offered by the Agency of Family Law, but it does not require you to already have a case with the Agency of Family Law, and seeking mediation does not open a case. However, seeking conflict mediation does require both parents to be willing participants.

If you are interested in conflict mediation, you can use the application form or contact the Agency of Family Law.

If you and the child’s other parent wish to make use of the Agency of Family Law’s offer of conflict mediation, you can use the application form ‘Request for counselling by a child expert or conflict mediation’ or apply via familieretshuset.dk. You are also welcome to contact the Agency of Family Law for more information.

Conflict mediation is offered free of charge to all parents who have separated. You need not have a pending case with the Agency of Family Law to make use of the offer, nor does it open a case if you seek mediation. However, conflict mediation does require both parents to be willing participants.

• Request for counselling by a child expert or conflict mediation (in Danish)

Conflict mediation uses a very special methodology to help people in conflict to arrive at a solution. The conflict mediator steers the process, but you and the child’s other parent are responsible for the outcome. The mediator offers neither advice nor guidance.

Counselling by a child expert is a discussion that seeks to find the best solution for your child in the situation at hand. With counselling by a child expert, you can also get advice and guidance on children’s reactions concerning a divorce, what to be aware of as a parent, and what you can do to support the child as best as possible.

• The Act on Parental Responsibility (in Danish)