Mediation Bureau

The Mediation Bureau provides information on cross-border mediation after a child has been taken to another country unlawfully or to reach an international parental contact arrangement. In this case cross border means that the parents have, or intend to have, their habitual residence in different countries.

Mediation offers parents the opportunity to make arrangements as to the child’s residence in accordance with the parents’ needs, taking into consideration the division of the responsibilities for care and upbringing. Mediation takes place in a safe and impartial environment and focuses on the interests of the child and a permanently positive relationship with both parents and other family members. The Mediation Bureau is a division of the International Child Abduction Centre.

International Child Abduction Procedure
The Mediation Bureau has started on the 1st of November 2009. The Mediation Bureau offers information on cross-border mediation after a child has been unlawfully taken to another country or to reach an international parental contact arrangement. The expectation is that mediation will help parents to reach agreement more easily on the habitual residence of the children. Experienced mediators will help parents in reaching this goal.

All parents are allowed to contact the Mediation Bureau. When parents decide to mediate, the Mediation Bureau will organize all mediation-related aspects. Mediation will apply to cases handled by the Central Authority, or in situations where the parent that stayed behind retains a lawyer and institutes proceedings in a District Court. In this brochure information will be given on the mediation procedure and about the cost of mediation.

Information
On the right-hand side of this page you will find further information about cross-border mediation in international child abduction cases. Please feel free to contact us for further information about cross-border mediation and our working methods.