Parenting coordinators

About the parenting coordination programme

The parenting coordination programme (PCP) is a family support programme that tries to address or resolve any disagreement about any parenting matter between spouses or former spouses.

A parenting matter refers to any matter relating to any of the following:

• The custody or care and control of a child.
• The right of access to a child
• The welfare of a child.

Under the PCP, a parenting coordinator may be appointed by the court:

• Following the making of a court order on parenting matters.
• When one party files a summons application for such an appointment via eLitigation.

Cases that apply

The court may make an order for the PCP in the following cases:

• Any proceedings in connection with an application under Section 5 of the Guardianship of Infants Act.
• Any matrimonial proceedings for which parties seek an order from the court under Section 124, 128 or 129 of the Women’s Charter.

When an order for the PCP is made

The court will make an order for the PCP if all the following conditions are met:

• The participation by the parties in the PCP is in the best interest of a child.
• The parties will benefit from the parenting coordinator's assistance.
• Either or both parties are financially able to afford the parenting coordinator fees.
  

The order for PCP will state:

• The period of the PCP or the term of the parenting coordinator.
  • The parenting coordinator's term ends after the period specified in the order.
  • The period of the PCP may be extended by the court or at a request of a party or the parenting coordinator.
• The frequency of sessions or the total number of hours the parties have to attend with the parenting coordinator.
• The parenting coordinator's hourly fees.
• The proportion of the parenting coordinator's fees each party needs to pay.

The role of the parenting coordinator

Depending on the nature of the case, the parenting coordinator resolves the disagreement parties have on specific parenting matters.

The court may also request the parenting coordinator to provide a report if the parties file an application relating to a parenting matter and the court sees a need for a report to determine the application.

This report is confidential and available only to the court. It will not be shared with either party or their lawyers (if any).

The court will inform the parenting coordinator if a report is required within 12 months from the conclusion of the PCP, and prescribe the areas to be addressed in the report.

If parties reach an agreement

A parenting coordinator cannot vary (change) court orders. If both parties can reach an agreement on the issues in dispute with the help of the parenting coordinator, either party can choose to prepare a draft consent order.

This can be done by filing the following documents via eLitigation:

• A summons with the consent of the other party.
• An affidavit in support of the application.
  • The affidavit should explain the parties' reasons for varying the order.

Find out how to prepare an affidavit.

Estimated fees

The fees for a court-appointed parenting coordinator ranges from $250 per hour to $400 per hour. The court will take into account the financial ability of each parent before determining the exact fee and the proportion each parent should bear.

Early termination from the parenting coordination programme

If parties or the parenting coordinator wishes to terminate the PCP early, they will have to file a summons application together with a supporting affidavit stating the reasons for the early termination (good cause).

The party who filed the application will then have to serve the documents on all parties within 3 working days from the date of filing the application.

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