Parenting Coordination in South Africa
A court order does not always end the conflict.
Structured, child-centred Parenting Coordination for high-conflict co-parenting matters. When a court order or parenting plan exists but the conflict does not stop, a Parenting Coordinator resolves day-to-day disputes so that they never again reach a courtroom — or the children.
Attorney-led Child-focused Mandate-based
Last reviewed
A court order does not always end the conflict.
Parenting Coordination is designed for the disputes that recur after the order is granted.
Recurring disputes about the interpretation or implementation of a parenting plan or court order
Children exposed to ongoing conflict between their parents
Attorneys briefed repeatedly over day-to-day disagreements — contact times, handovers, schooling, medical decisions
Care and contact logistics, holiday and travel arrangements, and communication between the parents
Matters where the court, the Family Advocate or the parties’ attorneys have recommended a PC
Conflict management within a mandate. Not a judge, a therapist or either parent’s lawyer.
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Conflict management
Structured engagement between the parents through clear communication protocols, so that disagreements are dealt with as they arise, in writing.
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Directives and recommendations
Within the mandate, the PC issues binding directives; outside it, non-binding recommendations; and where the parents agree, a written parental agreement.
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Within the mandate only
The PC acts strictly within the court order, parenting plan or appointment document. The child’s best interests remain the standard throughout.
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Not a substitute for the court
A PC does not provide legal representation, therapy or forensic assessment, and high-risk matters — safety, abuse, relocation — remain the proper domain of the court.
From enquiry to a working mandate.
Appointment is by agreement between the parents or by court order; we provide an appointment pack for attorneys.
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Enquiry and screening
An initial conversation with the parents or their attorneys to confirm that PC is appropriate and that no high-risk issue requires the court first.
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Mandate and appointment
The appointment document sets out what is included, what is excluded, the PC’s directive powers, the review route, payment and access to documents.
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Intake and protocols
Separate intake with each parent, then agreed communication protocols and a schedule for how disputes are raised and resolved.
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Working the mandate
Disputes resolved as they arise; directives, recommendations or agreements recorded in writing; a fixed term reviewed with the parties.
The best interests of the child, within a mandate the court can review.
The child’s best interests are the paramount standard in every decision, as the Children’s Act — official text, Department of Justice (opens in a new tab) requires. A Parenting Coordinator derives authority only from the mandate created by the court order, parenting plan, agreement or appointment document, and must act within it.
A proper mandate clarifies which issues are included and excluded, whether the PC may issue binding directives, how a directive may be reviewed by the court, who pays, what documents the PC may access, and what happens if a parent does not cooperate. Children are not drawn into the adult conflict; where a child’s view is needed, it is obtained appropriately and sparingly.
Questions parents and attorneys ask about PC.
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Is a Parenting Coordinator’s directive binding?
Within the mandate, and where the appointment document or court order gives the PC directive powers, yes — subject to the review route the mandate provides, usually to the court.
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How is a PC appointed?
By agreement between the parents, recorded in an appointment document or parenting plan, or by order of court. We provide attorneys with an appointment pack containing the model mandate.
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What does a PC not do?
A PC does not act as either parent’s attorney, does not provide therapy or forensic assessment, does not replace the court in urgent or high-risk matters, and does not decide issues outside the mandate.
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Will my child have to participate?
Children are not involved in the adult conflict. If a child’s view is genuinely needed on a specific issue, it is obtained in an age-appropriate way, and only when necessary.
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How long does the appointment last?
Appointments are for a fixed term — commonly twelve months — reviewed with the parties and renewable by agreement or court order.
Related reading
All insights →A private conversation before anything else.
Tell us, in confidence, what you are facing. We will tell you plainly whether a Parenting Coordinator is the right route — and if it is not, who to speak to instead.
Malan Vermeulen Incorporated (MV Inc.)Ground Floor, Quadrum 3, 50 Constantia Boulevard,
Floracliffe, Johannesburg, 1709, South Africa
010 980 5160 · [email protected]