What is a settlement conference in my family case and what happens at one?
The goal of a is to help you and your partner settle the issues you still don't agree on. Every conference is a chance for you to get closer to agreeing on your issues with your partner.
Combined conferences
A judge may schedule a settlement conference if you and your partner haven't resolved your issues after one or more case conferences.
Starting August 1, 2021, if you and your partner have tried family mediation, a judge can sometimes allow you to move directly to a combined and settlement conference. It doesn't matter whether you tried before going to court or after your court case started. Every family court in Ontario offers subsidized mediation services.
You and your partner must also have:
- been screened for power imbalances and domestic violence
- shared your financial statements
- filed a completed Form 17G Certificate of Dispute Resolution
- no outstanding motions for temporary orders
Because you have already discussed your issues and shared financial statements, you can skip the case conference steps of the family court process. If the judge hasn't already combined the conferences, you or your partner can ask for this by bringing a Form 14B: Motion. You will also need to fill out the forms required for a settlement conference.
Get ready for your conference
There are Family Law Rules that tell you what is needed at every step in a court case. Rule 17: Conferences tells you what you need to do to prepare for your settlement conference and what happens at one.
Keep enough time in your schedule for your conference. You should plan to spend at least half a day in court. While conferences generally take about an hour, the judge may ask you and your partner to take more time to discuss and try to resolve your issues.
Get legal help
You can talk to a lawyer who can help you with your settlement conference. If you can't afford to hire a lawyer for your whole case, some lawyers provide “unbundled services” or “limited scope retainer” services. This means you pay them to help you with part of your case.
If you can't afford to hire a lawyer at all, you may be able to find legal help in other places.
Family court illustrations
Other arrangements
If you need an interpreter or any other arrangement because of a disability, speak with the Accessibility Coordinator or any staff member at the courthouse about what you need.
