General Secretariat

The first project is the publication of a guide to international family mediation practice intended to families and professionals supporting or accompanying these families.

Why a guide?

Few families know that they have the opportunity to use mediation for issues of divorce, separation and exercise of parental rights in cross-border situations. They generally believe that conflicts involving two countries can only be settled through legal procedures.

Yet, separation or divorce involving two States, two legal and judiciary systems and diverging interpretations of family law and culture can make legal proceedings very complicated. In addition, the geographical distance between members of a separated family might render parenting and maintaining bonds between the children and both their parents difficult.

Mediation, if started in time, is a way to:

• complement the judicial process;
• save significant legal fees;
• allow families to find an arrangement "tailored" to match the reality of their financial, geographic and emotional situation, as well as to the needs of all the family members.

Successful mediation often pacifies the parental conflict, which makes it easier to maintain a relationship with children and respect the agreements concerning maintenance and visitation rights etc.

The Guide's content:

The guide includes information, testimonies, studies and experiences reflecting the many benefits as well as the limits of cross-border family mediation; it highlights the articulation between mediation practice and the law and was drafted in conformity with all legislations and mediation practices. An entire section consists of practical advice to parents concerning preparation and access to mediation and reliable information on their legal situation, as well as contents of mediation agreements. Read more

To download the ISS Guide to International Family Mediation click here.

It is also available in French, Russian, Italian, Spanish, German, Bulgarian and soon in Portuguese.

Order a paperback version of the Guide

The second project, which is ongoing, is to develop of a multilingual web platform integrating the content of the guide to ensure a wide dissemination among families across the world.

The descriptions on international family mediation practice will be supplemented by a country directory which will give more specific information on the possibilities of recourse to mediationa and legislations, in each country. This will facilitate access to reliable information for more families and professionals. Read more

The third project is to gather mediators specialised in cross-border disputes from all the continents to jointly elaborate and draft an international charter of professional conduct, as well as a set of best practices.

This endeavour, to be initiated in October 2015 during a meeting organised by ISS, will be fundamental to start working on a reliable affiliation system for professional mediators specialised in cross-border family conflicts, with the aim to create on the long term a global network of international family mediators. Read more

Sources of reference for International Family Mediation

Litterature on family mediation

• D'URSEL, Damien, La médiation entre tradition et modernités familiales, Presses Universitaires de Louvain, 2010.
• DE ROUVROIT LAMBERT, Alix, La médiation familiale transnationale, Origine, développement, et perspectives d'un processus novateur, Mémoire présenté en vue de l'obtention du diplôme de Master en Droit sous la supervision du Professeur Marc Fallon, Université Catholique de Louvain, 23 août 2010.
• GANANCIA, Danièle, La médiation familiale internationale. La diplomatie du cœur dans les enlèvements d'enfants, Editions érès, Trajets, Ramonville Saint-Agne, 2007.
• GEORGE, Rob, JUDD, Frances, GARRIDO, Damian, WORWOOD, Anna, Relocation, A Practical Guide, an indispenseable guide for anyone working in this complex and fast changing area of law and practice. Jordan Publishing, 2013.
• KESHAVJEE, Mohamed, Islam, Shari'a and Alternative Dispute Resolution. Mechanisms for Legal Redress in the Muslim Community. Published by I.B. Tauris, 2013.
• PARKINSON, Lisa, Appropriate Dispute Resolution in a new family justice system, Jordan Publishing Ltd., 2011.
• PARKINSON, Lisa, Family Mediation, Appropriate Dispute Resolution in a new family justice system. Jordan Publishing Limited, Bristol, 2011.
• PAUL, Christoph C., KIESEWETTER, Sybille, Cross-Border Mediation. Foreign and International Legal Provisions. Mediation über Grenzen. Ausländische und internationale Rechtsnormen. Online Publication, 2011.
• PAUL, Christoph C., KIESEWETTER, Sybille (Hrsg.), Mediation bei internationalen Kindschaftskonflikten. München, 2009. 
• PEKAR, A., SALZER, J. et COLSON, A., Méthode de Médiation. Au cœur de la conciliation, Editions Dunod, Paris, 2008.
• ROBERTS, Marian, Developing the Craft of Mediation, Reflections on Theory and Practice. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London, 2007.
• ŞUSTAC, Zeno Daniel, WALKER, Jamie, IGNAT, Claudiu, CIUCA, Anca Elisabeta, LUNGU, Sanda Elena, Best practice guide on the use of mediation in cross-border cases. Ministry of justice Rumania (Hrsg.), 2013.
• ZERMATTEN, Jean, L'Intérêt Supérieur de l'Enfant. De l'analyse littérale à la portée philosophique, Institut International des Droits de l'Enfant, Working Report 3-2003.

Articles on International Family Mediation

• BUCHER, A, The new Swiss Federal Act on International Child Abduction. Journal of Private International Law, vol. 4, No. 2, 2008.
• BUCK, T, An evaluation of the long-term effectiveness of mediation in case of international parental child abduction. Reunite International Child Abduction Center, 2012.
• CARL, E., COPIN, J-P., RIPKE, L., Le projet pilote franco-allemand de médiation familiale professionnelle. Un modèle de collaboration internationale dans le cadre des conflits familiaux.
• DE VROEDE, Nadia, « Médiation familiale internationale, Préface », in Revue Scientifique de l'AIFI, vol. 1, numéro 2, Editions Yvon Blais, Canada, 2008. 
• DOBIEJEWSKA, Elzbieta, « La Médiation familiale dans le contexte polonais », traduction de Grazyna Karbowska, in Revue Scientifique de l'AIFI, vol. 1, numéro 2, Editions Yvon Blais, Canada, 2008.
• GREENHOUSE, Carol J., « Mediation: A comparative approach», in Man, New Series, Vol. 20, No. 1, Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, March 1985, pp.90-114.
• IRANI, G.E., « Islamic Mediation Techniques for Middle East Conflicts», in Middle East Review of International Affairs, Vol.3, No. 2, June 1999. 
• KESHAVJEE, M. M., « Family Mediation in the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslim Community - Institutional Structures, Training and Practice», 7th European Conference on Family Law, "International Family Mediation", Council of Europe, Strasbourg, (16 March 2009).
• KESHAVJEE, M. M., "Multiculturalism and the challenges it poses to legal education and alternative dispute resolution: The situation of British Muslims' studies address to the department of peace studies, University of Bradford. The Institute of Ismaili Studies, 2004.
• KESHAVJEE, M. M., Alternative Dispute Resolution: Its Resonance in Muslim Thought and Future Directions, The Institute of Ismaili Studies, 2002.
• Ministry of justice Romania, informative guide concerning cross-border mediation in civil matters in the european Union (leaflet)European Union Specific Programme Civil Justice 2010.
• PAUL, C. C., WALKER, J., A Case for Mediation: Family Mediation in International Child Custody Conflicts. In: World Arbitration & Mediation Review (WAMR), Vol. 1, No. 4, JurisNet LLC Huntington, New York, USA.
• STALFORD, H., " Crossing boundaries: reconciling law, culture and values in international family mediation", in Journal of Social Welfare & Family Law, 32(2), 2010.
• TOURRILHES, C., « La médiation, innovation sociale ou nouveau mode de régulation ? Vers des espaces tiers de socialisation », in Pensée Plurielle 2008/2, numéro 18, pp. 109-120.
• WALL, A. J., STARK, J.B., STANDFER, R.L., « Mediation: A Current Review and Theory Development », in The Journal of Conflicts Resolution, Vol. 45, No. 3, Sage Publications, Inc., June 2001, pp. 370-391.

Articles on the place of the child in family mediation

• ACHIM, J., CYR, F., FILION, L., « L'implication de l'enfant en médiation familiale: de la théorie à la pratique », in Revue Québécoise de psychologie, vol. 18, numéro 1, 1997.
• International Judicial Conference on cross-border family relocation: Washington Declaration on Family Relocation 23-25 March 2010.
• MCINTOSH, J.E., WELLS, Y.D., SMYTH, B.M., LONG, C.M., « Child-focused and Child-inclusive Divorce Mediation: Comparative Outcomes from a Prospective Study of Postseparation Adjustment», in Family Court Review, Vol. 46, No. 1, pp. 105.124, January 2008.

Research & Studies on International Family Mediation

• Reunite International Child Abduction Centre, Reasearch Unit, Mediation In International Parental Child Abduction, 2006
• FREEMAN, Marilyn, International Centre for Family and Law, Policy and Practice, "Parental Child Abduction: The Long-Term Effects", 2014

Publications by ISS members

Publications

• AUERBACH, Stephan, « L'approche basée sur la médiation », Rapport Annuel 2005, Service Social International, Fondation Suisse.
• AUERBACH, Stephan, "Au service de l'intérêt supérieur de l'enfant. La médiation familiale internationale au sein du Service Social International", Colloque AIFI, 24 mai 2007. 
• CARATSCH, Cilgia, "La médiation familiale internationale. Observations sur son établissement institutionnel", Mémoire de DUM soumis à l'IUKB, soumis le 29 juin 2012.
• CHOUCHANI HATEM, Rita, « La différence culturelle vécue au quotidien dans les couples mixte franco-libanais », in Revue Scientifique de l'AIFI, vol. 1, numéro 2, Editions Yvon Blais, Canada, 2008.
• REYNAUD DE LA JARA, Kristine, « La médiation familiale internationale dans le contexte des enlèvements d'enfants. Le regard du Service International », Revue Scientifique de l'AIFI, Vol. I, automne 2007. 
• ISS Australia, Hague Children's Conventions: The need for an Advocacy Response to Protect Children in the Context of International Parental Child abduction.
• ISS Australia, Living in Limbo, The experience of International Parental Child Abduction, the call for a national support service, February 2005.
• ISS Germany, "The development of mediation, conciliation and similar means to facilitate agreed solutions in transfrontier family disputes concerning children (especially in the context of The Hague Conventions of 1980 and 1996)", An International Review by International Social Service, 29th August 2006. 
• ISS Switzerland, ISS Germany, ISS General Secretariat, Children in cross-border family conflicts, The approach of International Social Service for facilitating amicable solutions in their best interests in the context of The Hague Conventions of 1980 and 1996, Geneva/Berlin, 2nd of August 2006.

Project evaluations

• ISS Australia, Final Project Report, Children in Cross-Border Family Conflicts: The child-centred, mediation-based approach of International Social Service, 31 October 2007.
• ISS Switzerland, Training Seminar, Children in Cross-Border Family Conflicts: The child-centred, mediation-based approach of International Social Service, Final project report for the ISS Bureau of ExCo meeting, Genève, 20-23 April 2008.

Colloquia and Conferences

• JOURNEE SARAH OBERSON 2006, Couples déchirés, enfants en danger. Les enlèvements internationaux d'enfants, Jean Zermatten, Paola Riva Gapany (Eds.), Sion, Juin 2007.
• AIFI (Association Internationale Francophone des Intervenants auprès des familles séparées), Guide de bonnes pratiques en médiation familiale à distance et internationale, présenté au Bureau permanent de la Conférence de La Haye de droit international privé, 25 janvier 2008.

The Hague Conference on International Private Law

• Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Concluded on 25th October 1980)
• Convention on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforcement and Co-operation in Respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children (Concluded on 19th October 1996)
• Declaration of the Malta Judicial Conference on Cross-Frontier Family Law Issues Hosted by the Government of Malta in Collaboration with the Hague Conference on Private International Law (on 14-17th March 2004)
• Declaration of the Second Malta Judicial Conference on Cross-Frontier Family Law Issues Hosted by the Government of Malta in Collaboration with the Hague Conference on Private International Law (on 19-22nd March 2006)
• Declaration of the Third Malta Judicial Conference on Cross-Frontier Family Law Issues Hosted by the Government of Malta in Collaboration with the Hague Conference on Private International Law (on 23-26th March 2009)
• Permanent Bureau of The Hague Conference on Private International Law, Feasibility Study on Cross-Border Mediation in Family Matters (20 March 2007)
• Feasibility Study on Cross-Border Mediation in Family Matters - Responses to the Questionnaire (10 March 2008)
• VIGERS Sarah, Note on the Development of Mediation, Conciliation and Similar Means to facilitate Agreed Solutions in Transfrontier Family Disputes Concerning Children Especially in the Context of the Hague Convention of 1980, The Hague Conference on Private International Law (5 October 2006)

European Commission & Council of Europe

• European Convention on Recognition and Enforcement of Decisions concerning Custody of Children and on Restoration of Custody of Children, 1980
• Recommendation No. R(98)1 adopted by the Committee of Ministers to Member States on Family Mediation of the Council of Europe, on 21 January 1998 at the 616th meeting of the Ministers' Deputies
• Council Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003 of 27 November 2003 concerning jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and the matters of parental responsibility, repealing Regulation (EC) No 1347/2000
• European Network of National Observatories on Childhood, Family Mediation in the European Union, Survey, ChildONEurope Secretariat, Luxemburg, June 2005
• Practice Guide for the Application of the New Brussels II Regulation, (Council Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003 of 27 November 2003 concerning jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and the matters of parental responsibility, repealing Regulation (EC) No 1347/2000), Updated version 1 June 2005
• Academy of European Law (E.R.A.), « Family Mediation in Europe », Trier, 31 May 2006
• European Forum, Training and Research in Family Mediation, European Congress on Family Mediation, « Mediating with Families: from the Traditional Conflicts to the Actual Social Problems», organized by the I.T.e.R. Istituto di Terapia Relazionale, Caserta, Italy, 28 September 2006
• DUNCAN William, « The Work of the Hague Conference in the Field of International Family Mediation», 7th European Conference on Family Law "International Family Mediation", Council of Europe, Strasbourg (16th March 2009).

Statistics

• LOWE Nigel, The 2003 Statistical Survey, The judges' Newsletter, vol. 11, 2006
• LOWE Nigel, Analyse statistique des demandes déposées en 2003 en application de la Convention de La Haye du 25 octobre 1980 sur les aspects civils de l'enlèvement international d'enfants, Partie I, Rapport Général, mise à jour de l'année 2007
• LOWE Nigel, A statistical analysis of applications made in 2008 under the Hague convention of 25 October 1980 on the civil aspects of international child abduction: Part I global report. Published 2011.

• Central Authorities under the Hague Convention (generally working in collaboration with one of the following Ministries: Justice, Family, Health and Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
• Focal Point for international family mediation
• National Associations for Family Mediation
• International Social Service (ISS)
• Specialised agencies in international family law
• Legal support systems
• Social services
• Consulates and embassies