top of page

Rights and Responsibilities

Understanding Your Role and What to Expect in Quebec Family Mediation

​

Legal Framework

 

In Quebec, family mediation is governed by the Code of Civil Procedure and the Regulation respecting family mediation. These laws ensure that the mediation process is fair, confidential, and conducted by qualified professionals.

​

​

Your Role in the Mediation Process

​​

  • Voluntary Participation: Mediation is a voluntary process. You can choose to participate and may withdraw at any time without penalty.

​​

  • Active Engagement: You're encouraged to actively participate, express your concerns, and work collaboratively toward mutually acceptable solutions.

​​

  • Honesty and Transparency: Both parties are expected to share relevant information openly to facilitate a fair agreement.

​​

​

Ensuring a Fair and Safe Process

​​

  • Impartial Mediators: Mediators must remain neutral, facilitating discussions without favouring either party.

​​

  • Confidentiality: Discussions held during mediation are confidential and cannot be used as evidence in court. I am committed to fully respecting the confidentiality of this process, within the limits set by law. However, in certain exceptional situations, a court may decide to lift this confidentiality.

​​

  • Screening for Power Imbalances: Before mediation begins, mediators assess for any power imbalances or family violence to ensure a safe environment.

​​

​

Mediation Agreements

​​

  • Summary of Agreements: At the end of mediation, the mediator provides a written summary of the agreements reached. This document is not legally binding on its own.

​​

  • Legal Validation: To make the agreement enforceable, it must be homologated (approved) by a court.

​​

​

Costs and Government Support

​​

  • Subsidized Sessions: The Government of Québec offers up to 5 hours of free mediation for couples with children, up to 3 hours for those without children, and up to 2.5 hours if you already have a judgment or an agreement. The mediator’s work is included in the allotted time.

​​

  • Additional Sessions: If more time is needed, extra sessions can be offered at the regulated rate of $130/hour.

​​

​

Additional Resources

​​

​​

​​

bottom of page