Divorce Mediation

Search for glossary terms (regular expression allowed)

Glossaries

Term Definition
Divorce Mediation
A court-run process (not private) that lets spouses settle before filing a case. Under the Civil Procedure Code (No. 32, 2020; section 20 ter), there is no court fee; if settlement is reached, the court can issue a consent judgment. Apply via the Court of Justice Mediation Portal.

Divorce Mediation in Thailand (Court-Run, Official)

Last updated:

In Thailand, divorce mediation is part of the official court system (not run by private law firms) - Civil Procedure Code Section 20. The Civil Procedure Code Amendment No. 32 (B.E. 2563 / 2020) created pre-filing mediation: before starting a lawsuit, either spouse may ask the court to appoint a mediator. If they settle, the court may issue a consent judgment (คำพิพากษาตามยอม). There is no court fee for the application. If no settlement is reached, the limitation period is extended by 60 days.

How it works

  1. Apply (pre-filing): File a petition with the court that has jurisdiction, naming both spouses and briefly describing the dispute. (You can apply online.)
  2. Court checks consent: The court asks the other spouse if they agree to mediate. Parties may attend with or without a lawyer.
  3. Mediation session: A court-appointed mediator helps the parties reach a settlement on issues such as property, maintenance, and parental matters.
  4. Outcome: If a settlement is reached, the mediator submits it to the judge. The court may issue a consent judgment the same day. If not, either party may proceed with a normal case; the statute of limitations is extended as above.

Where to start (official)

Costs & result

  • Fee: The application under section 20 ter has no court fee. (Normal admin items like certified copies may still have small charges.)
  • Result: If settled, the court issues a consent judgment. In a divorce, that judgment dissolves the marriage; the district office (Amphur) then updates civil records based on the judgment.

Court Mediation in Thailand — Costs & Who Appoints

  • Pre-filing mediation (CPC §20 ter): no court fee for the application or proceedings. If you settle, the judge may issue a same-day consent judgment without a separate fee.
  • During-case mediation ( CPC section 20 bis): no extra mediation fee; normal case filing fees still apply because a lawsuit exists.
  • Mediator: appointed by the court (court Mediation Center panel). Sessions can be in person or online; lawyers optional.

Possible out-of-pocket items: translations/interpreter (if used), certified copies of the order/judgment, and consular legalization if you’ll use it abroad.

Official sources: Royal Gazette (Act No. 32/2020, section 20 ter) · COJ Mediation Portal · OJA: Pre-filing Mediation (Thai) · Minburi Civil Court FAQ

FAQs

Is this different from an Amphur (administrative) divorce?
Yes. Amphur divorces are by mutual consent with a signed divorce agreement. Court mediation is a judicial process; if settled, it ends with a court consent judgment.
Do I need a lawyer?
No. The law allows parties to attend with or without a lawyer. Many foreigners still seek legal help for translations and drafting terms.
Can I try mediation before filing a divorce case?
Yes. That is the point of pre-filing mediation under section 20 ter. If no settlement is reached, the statute of limitations is extended by 60 days.
Is there a fee?
No court fee for the section 20 ter application. If you later file a case, the normal filing fee rules apply; fees are typically refunded if a pending case settles by consent judgment.

CPC Section 20 ตรี — Pre-filing Mediation (Thai & English)

Clauses of Section 20 ตรี (Civil Procedure Code), bilingual view
Thai (official excerpts & summaries) Plain English explanation
Excerpt: “ก่อนยื่นฟ้องคดี อาจยื่นคำร้องต่อศาลที่มีเขตอำนาจ” Section 20 ตรี
สรุป: ขอไกล่เกลี่ยก่อนฟ้องได้ โดยยื่นต่อศาลที่มีเขตอำนาจ 		Before filing a lawsuit, a prospective party may petition the court with jurisdiction to appoint a mediator to try settlement.
สรุป: ศาลสอบถามความยินยอมของอีกฝ่าย นัดคู่กรณีจะมี/ไม่มีทนายก็ได้ และแต่งตั้งผู้ประนีประนอม (ให้นำ ม.20 ทวิ ใช้โดยอนุโลม) The court asks the other spouse to consent; if both agree, the court may summon the parties (with or without lawyers) and appoint a mediator. Section 20 bis applies mutatis mutandis.
Excerpt: “มีคำพิพากษาตามยอม” Section 20 ตรี
สรุป: ตกลงกันได้ ศาลออกคำพิพากษาตามยอมตามข้อตกลง 		If settlement is reached, the judge may render a consent judgment in line with the written compromise, provided it is lawful, fair, and reflects the parties’ intent.
Excerpt: “ไม่ต้องเสียค่าขึ้นศาล” Section 20 ตรี There is no court fee for the application and proceedings under this section.
Excerpt: “อายุความขยายออกไปอีกหกสิบวัน” Section 20 ตรี
สรุป: ไกล่เกลี่ยไม่สำเร็จ ต่ออายุความอีก 60 วันนับแต่วันสิ้นสุดไกล่เกลี่ย 		If mediation ends without settlement, the limitation period is extended by 60 days from the date mediation ends.

Official source (full Thai text): Royal Gazette, Civil Procedure Code Amendment (No. 32), B.E. 2563, adding Section 20 ตรี. See PDF on the Royal Gazette website.

Need the official user guide? See the judiciary’s citizen guide to pre-filing mediation:OJA Guide.