MORE people throughout the province will have access to a service that helps resolve family law matters earlier, the Ministry of Attorney General announced on Wednesday.
Building on existing family justice services, the early resolution process aims to build knowledge, support problem solving and help families prepare for the next steps in their family law matters. The process, which is currently available in Victoria and Surrey, is being widely expanded.
The expansion will begin with the Port Coquitlam Provincial Court family registry in November. Between April and November 2025, the service will expand to Provincial Court family registries in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Pemberton, Richmond, Sechelt and Vancouver (Robson Square).
The process is designed to reduce conflict and build skills to prevent future conflict through earlier resolutions that are customized to a family’s needs and, ultimately, help families to resolve their family law matters.
It provides early preparation for families, many of whom are without legal representation, through screening for family violence, identification of legal and non-legal needs, referrals to community organizations, assistance resolving disputes out-of-court and support preparing for the appropriate next steps.
Families also receive information about the court process and other options, such as consensual dispute resolution.
The expansion of the process prioritizes resources for families that require formal judgment on a disputed matter and increases the court’s capacity to deal with other matters and ensures timely access to justice for more people in the province.
​Learn More:
To learn more about the Early Resolution Process, visit:Â https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/
To learn more about family justice centres and justice access centres and where to find them, visit:Â https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/
BACKGROUNDER
Facts about family justice services
* The Ministry of Attorney General Family Justice Services Division (FJSD) serves families experiencing separation or divorce by providing information and mediation services to help resolve family law disputes.
* Free services are available throughout the province, virtually or in person at community-based Justice Access Centres and Family Justice Centres.
* Specially trained staff are available to provide information, needs assessment, referrals, dispute resolution options and limited legal advice.
* In locations where the early resolution process applies, FJSD also provides services to people looking to resolve a family law matter.
* Before filing (or replying to) an application about a family law matter in Provincial Court, parties are required to complete a needs assessment with a family justice counsellor (at FJSD), a parenting education course and one consensual dispute resolution session, if appropriate.
* A family law matter, as defined by the Provincial Court Family Rules, includes:
– parenting arrangements, including parental responsibilities and parenting time;
– child support;
– contact with a child;
– guardianship of a child;
– spousal support; and
– ownership and possession of companion animals.
