In Ontario, a family law case conference is (in most circumstances) where you (the client) will have an opportunity to go before a Judge for the first time to discuss your family law case.
In most circumstances, a case conference must be held before any party brings a motion before the Court. The case conference requires the in-person presence of all parties with their legal counsel, and it is where all parties will discuss each other's side of the case and the issues in dispute before a Judge.
In addition to discussing both sides of the case and the issues in dispute, a family law case conference is an opportunity to resolve any of the issues in dispute in order to narrow these issues.
If your case cannot be settled, a case conference is also an opportunity to discuss whether the parties have disclosed all of the necessary information and documents to each other. The Judge at the case conference has the authority to make various procedural orders, such as an order to produce certain documents or information or make an order that a mediation occur between the parties. The Judge at the case conference can also set a date for the next step in the proceeding.
However, you may have more than one case conference, if requested, at any time during the proceeding, and all subsequent case conferences will be held before the same Judge. However, any subsequent motions and the eventual trial of your case will all have different Judges.
It is important to note that case conferences are private and confidential and that everything said in the case conference cannot be used outside of the case conference. Only a written agreement or a Court Order obtained from the Judge can be used in the case.
For more information on your specific situation, contact one of our litigation lawyers by booking a paid consultation online with us at www.bprlitigation.com or emailing us at justin@bprlitigation.com, and we would be happy to arrange an in-person or virtual consultation to assist you further.
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