Information
Services

Information & Referral Coordination
IRC

Provides information and direction to services available in your community.

Mandatory Information Program
MIP

This program provides information about separation, parenting and the Ontario court system.

INFORMATION & REFERRAL COORDINATOR

WHAT DOES AN IRC DO?

The Mediation Centre Ontario Inc. provides an Information & Referral Coordinator (IRC) at the Family Law Information Centre (FLIC) in 10 courthouse locations across Southwestern Ontario.

An IRC:

INFORMATION FREE OF CHARGE TO THE PUBLIC

Information & Referral Coordinators maintain current publications and media in the FLICs. They keep an up-to-date list of programs and services in the community accessible to the Court, lawyers, court staff, and anyone living in the areas surrounding the courthouses we serve.

Information provided on non-legal issues related to family law:

Separation
Divorce
Child protection matters
Alternative dispute resolution
Community resources

If you are unsure of what information you need, an IRC can help you determine your needs and provide information so you can make a referral to the appropriate resource.

MANDATORY INFORMATION PROGRAM

WHAT DOES A MIP COVER?

MIPs provide attendees with information about separation/divorce and the legal process, including:

HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED TO ATTEND A MIP?

The Court will provide you with a MIP Notice. This will be included in your initial court documents.

Court Documents
Filed

When an application or motion is filed, the court will schedule you and the other party with MIP Notices.

MIP
Notices

The Court will provide you with a MIP Notice.

Applicant Serves
Respondent

The applicant must serve the respondent with their MIP Notice along with the other documents.

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT  THE MANDATORY INFORMATION PROGRAM (MIP)

Mandatory Information Programs are available online throughout Ontario. We provide MIP sessions through Zoom.

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays every week and one Saturday per month.

MIPs are 2 hours in length and delivered by local lawyers and Mental Health Professionals.

To register for your MIP session, click REGISTER. You will be asked preliminary questions and then directed to our online calendar.

This program provides information about separation, parenting and the Ontario court system. It is important that you understand your rights and responsibilities when dealing with the family court system.

Yes, there are a few exceptions where MIPS are not mandatory including:

  • Parties in cases that are proceeding on consent (where both parties agree to the order that is being requested)
  • In cases in which the only claims made are for a divorce, costs, or an order incorporating the terms of an agreement or prior court order
  • Parties who have already attended a MIP in the last 12 months
  • When matters only deal with changing child or spousal support provisions and/or who have attended a Motion to Change Seminar in lieu.
  • Parties who obtain permission from the Judge that they do not have to attend (e.g. if attendance would cause them hardship).

No. Applicants and Respondents attend MIP sessions separately. Their sessions are scheduled on different days and times.

REGISTER FOR MIP ONLINE

We currently present the Mandatory Information Program in an online format. Upon clicking REGISTER, you will be asked preliminary questions and then directed to an event page to select your desired event date and time.

Once you have successfully registered for your desired event, you will be sent an Event Link to attend via Zoom.