Code of conduct and practice standards
Every APFMC member agrees to these standards as a condition of membership and of holding the AP.fm designation. They're written for private practice, where the mediator answers directly to the clients who hired them.
If you're a separating couple reading this, it's a description of what you can expect from an AP.fm mediator. If you're a mediator, it's what we'll hold you to.
Core Commitments
What every APFMC member commits to
- Neutrality. The mediator doesn't take sides and doesn't decide the outcome. The mediator helps both people reach their own agreement. If mediator can't stay neutral in a particular case, they say so and step aside.
- Informed consent. Before mediation starts, both clients receive a plain-language explanation of what mediation is, what it isn't, what it costs, how confidentiality works and that either person can stop at any time. This is confirmed in a written agreement to mediate.
- Confidentiality. What's said in mediation stays in mediation, with narrow exceptions required by law, such as a risk of harm to a child. The mediator explains those exceptions up front.
- Screening for safety and power imbalance. The mediator screens each client separately before starting and throughout the process. Where mediation isn't safe or fair, the mediator says so and helps the clients find another path.
- Financial competence. Every AP.fm mediator holds a divorce financial planning credential and uses it. The mediator helps clients understand support, property division, tax effects and the long-term financial results of the options in front of them, and keeps those skills current.
- Full and honest disclosure. The mediator requires both clients to share complete financial information before any agreement is reached, and explains why an agreement built on incomplete information can fail later.
- Independent legal advice. The mediator doesn't give legal advice and tells clients, in writing, to get independent legal advice before signing any agreement.
- Referring out. The mediator recognizes when a matter needs a lawyer, a counsellor, a child specialist or a specialized financial professional such as a business valuator or actuary, and helps clients get there.
- Clear fees. Fees, billing and who pays what are set out in writing before work starts. No surprises.
- Competence and continuing education. Members keep both their mediation and financial skills current through ongoing education, and take only the cases they're qualified to handle.
- Honest marketing and proper use of AP.fm. Members describe their training, credentials and services accurately, use the AP.fm designation only while in good standing, and make no promises about outcomes.
Complaints
If you believe an AP.fm mediator has breached these standards, you can raise it with us.
Contact us at support@apfmc.ca with the member's name and a description of what happened.
We acknowledge your complaint within [X] business days and give the member a chance to respond.
A review panel of [two or three] members not connected to the matter reviews both accounts.
Outcomes range from no action, to required education, to suspension or removal of the AP.fm designation and removal from the directory.
APFMC is a professional association, not a regulator or a court. We can act on a member's standing and designation. We can't award damages or change an agreement. If you need that kind of remedy, speak with a lawyer.
Full Document
Read the full code The complete Code of Conduct and Practice Standards is available here: [Link to PDF].
Members receive the current version on joining and whenever it's updated.
