Family Justice


The Best Option for You

If You Go to Supreme Court

How do I prepare for my Judicial Case Conference?

Whether you have a lawyer or not, you should do some work in advance of your conference. To prepare for your Judicial Case Conference:

  • Re-read all the documents you or your spouse filed at the court registry as part of your family law proceeding.

  • Read through the Litigants' Guide and Case Management Plan Worksheet. Completing this worksheet will help you prepare to answer the judge's or master's questions (your spouse should also complete a worksheet, but you do not need to show yours to your spouse or to anyone else; it is for your use only). The worksheet asks you, among other things:

    • which issues you and your spouse disagree about, such as child support or access

    • what option or options you think would be the most appropriate for settling your disagreements - for example, mediation or a settlement meeting (this is a meeting between you and the Defendant and your lawyers, if you have them, to try to negotiate a solution you can both agree to)

    • if and when a trial and pre-trial conference (a meeting before the judge or master that will focus on making sure you and the Defendant are ready to present your case at a trial) should be held, and

    • whether you and your spouse should attend a Parenting After Separation session.

  • Make child-care arrangements for your children for the time of the conference.