Attend the Family Case Conference
Although attending a Family Case Conference isn't like going to trial, remember that you're still in court and the person conducting the case conference is a judge.
- Dress appropriately.
- Address the judge as "Your Honour."
- Be as calm as possible.
- Be prepared to answer questions.
- Act politely in the presence of your former partner.
What happens at a family case conference?
- Both of you must appear at a Family Case Conference, with or without lawyers.
- The conference is usually held in a conference room, with a judge sitting at a table with you both.
- The judge can ask you direct questions, and will try to find out information that might help resolve conflicts or reduce the amount of time needed for a trial to have conflicts resolved by a judge’s decision.
- The judge can act as a mediator, so this is a great opportunity to have a judge help you settle your issues without going to trial.
- The proceedings are confidential. If evidence is required to decide on an issue, a hearing must be set. The Family Case Conference isn't the place for making decisions about substantial issues if you don't agree.
The judge can make orders, including:
- sending you to a family dispute resolution professional, such as a mediator, family justice counsellor, or parenting coordinator, or
- referring your child to counselling.
The judge can make these orders with or without your agreement and you may have to pay for them. For a full list of the things a judge can do at a Family Case Conference, see Family Case Conferences in Provincial Court.
What happens if the discussion breaks down?
Sometimes, no meaningful discussions happen at the Family Case Conference because one party is unable or unwilling to discuss the issues or to compromise.
If it becomes clear that nothing will be settled at a Family Case Conference, the judge may try instead to determine what matters need to be cleared up before the case can proceed to a trial.