Sammanfattning
In this article, we explore how the concept of «the best interest of the child» is used by parents
and mediators in mediation talks conducted in accordance with the Act on children and parents. By
performing a discourse analysis of transcribed mediation sessions between parents with a high
degree of conflict about care scheme, we will show how parents and the mediator define, take on and
ascribe positions that provide unequal access to claims to represent the fulfillment of the principle of
«the child’s best interest». We conclude that discussions about the «best interest» issue may
contribute to escalating conflict, rather than to decrease it. Thus, our conclusions pose a challenge to
current practice and research in the custody mediation field in Norway.