Combined conferences after meeting with a mediator

If you and your partner have met with a mediator to try to settle your case, a judge may order that you have a combined case conference and settlement conference. Rule 17(7.1) of the Family Law Rules cover combined case conferences and settlement conferences after you have met with a mediator:

Combined case and settlement conference following dispute resolution

(7.1) A judge may at any time, on a motion in Form 14B or on the judge’s own initiative, order that all or part of a case conference and settlement conference be combined if,

(a) the parties have resolved or attempted to resolve one or more of the issues in the proceeding through participation in,

(i) a family mediation conducted by a person that the judge determines met the criteria established by the Ministry of the Attorney General to provide government-funded mediation services or was qualified to conduct family mediation by virtue of the person’s knowledge and experience in family law, or

(ii) a legal aid settlement conference conducted by a facilitator;

(b) the family mediation or legal aid settlement conference referred to in clause (a) included screening for power imbalances and domestic violence;

(c) the financial disclosure required in the case under these rules has been provided;

(d) no motions for a temporary order in the case are pending or are contemplated by any of the parties; and

(e) each party files a certificate of dispute resolution (Form 17G).

If a judge does not order a combined case conference and settlement conference after you met with a mediator, you may ask for a combined conference through a Form 14B.

Ontario Court of Justice