- Family Justice Centres offer free services to separating families, and family justice counsellors who are accredited mediators provide mediation.
- Justice Access Centres also offer free family justice services, including mediation with a neutral, trained mediator.
- Family dispute resolution professionals must assess whether family violence may be present.
If you and your partner are separating and want to settle things without a court fight, mediation is one option. Many people worry about the cost, and it helps to know that some mediation is offered free through public services in British Columbia.
This article explains where free mediation is available, how it works, when it may not be suitable, and what to ask about funding. Whether you qualify for any service depends on your circumstances.
This article covers the law of British Columbia.
Where free mediation is offered
Family Justice Centres offer free services to parents and other family members dealing with separation or divorce. Family justice counsellors there are accredited mediators who provide mediation.
Justice Access Centres also offer free family justice services. Mediation there takes place in a neutral, informal setting where a trained mediator helps you discuss the issues without giving legal advice. You may be referred to a private mediator if a counsellor is not trained to mediate your problem.
Some referred services are based on financial need, so you may be asked about income. If mediation is not suitable for your situation, staff at a Family Justice Centre help with next steps or referrals.
What mediation can cover
Under the Family Law Act, family justice counsellors can provide information about a family law dispute and family dispute resolution on guardianship, parenting arrangements, contact with a child, and child and spousal support, along with referrals. Child support disputes can use facilitated negotiation with a child support officer.
- Parenting arrangements, guardianship and contact with a child.
- Child and spousal support.
- Property division for a companion animal.
If mediation is not suitable, staff help with next steps or referrals. You might be referred to a private mediator if a counsellor is not trained to mediate your problem, or to child protection mediation or notice to mediate.
Family violence and mediation
Mediation relies on both people being able to speak freely and negotiate fairly. Family dispute resolution professionals must assess, in accordance with the regulations, whether family violence may be present. If it may be, they must consider how it may affect a party's safety and ability to negotiate a fair agreement.
The Family Law Act also requires parties to comply with any regulations on mandatory family dispute resolution. If you are experiencing family violence, tell the mediator or intake worker at the start. Family Law Centres may also be able to help survivors who cannot afford a lawyer.
Other ways mediation can be funded
Under section 89 of the Family Law Act, the Supreme Court may order an interim distribution of family property at issue under Part 5 to fund family dispute resolution, but only if it is satisfied that this is necessary for that purpose and would not be harmful to your spouse's interests. This order is made only by the Supreme Court, only from family property at issue in the property division, and it is not a general costs order.
The Family Law Act also has narrower expense provisions, including one on fees for dispute resolution, counselling or programs. Whether any of this applies to you is a question for a lawyer.
What to do next
- Call a Family Justice Centre toll-free at 1-844-747-3963, Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
- Ask whether mediation is suitable for your situation and whether you may be asked about income.
- Ask about the free Parenting After Separation course.
- Tell staff about any safety concerns before mediation begins.
- Have a lawyer review any agreement before you sign it.
Families separated by distance can also use services by telephone and video conference.
Frequently asked questions
Is family mediation really free in BC?
Family Justice Centres and Justice Access Centres offer free family services, including mediation. Some referred services are based on financial need, so you may be asked about income.
Who runs the mediation?
At Family Justice Centres, family justice counsellors who are accredited mediators provide mediation. At Justice Access Centres, a trained mediator helps you discuss issues without giving legal advice.
What if there has been family violence?
Family dispute resolution professionals must assess whether family violence may be present and consider how it may affect safety and the ability to negotiate a fair agreement. If mediation is not suitable, staff help with next steps or referrals.
Do we both need to agree to mediate?
Mediation generally works best when both people take part willingly. Check with the centre about how it handles your situation, and note that the Online Divorce Assistant only works where both spouses agree on all issues.
Sources
- BC Gov News – Attorney General release, July 8, 2026 — news.gov.bc.ca
- Province of BC – Family Justice Centre services — www2.gov.bc.ca
- Province of BC – Mediation at Justice Access Centres — www2.gov.bc.ca
- Family Law Act, SBC 2011, c 25, Part 2, ss. 8-9 — bclaws.gov.bc.ca
- Family Law Act, SBC 2011, c 25, s. 89 — bclaws.gov.bc.ca
- Family Law Act, SBC 2011, c 25, Part 10 — bclaws.gov.bc.ca
Links go to official government, court and regulator pages. The law changes — confirm you are reading the current version.
This is a family law question
An uncontested divorce with us is from $2,126.88, tax included. Third-party fees are extra.