← LibrarySource sectionWhat is an “offer to settle”?
Source checked2026-08-08
Related explanationCourtSuperior Court of Justice — family cases
Court: Superior Court of Justice
The Superior Court of Justice hears family-law matters including divorce and family-property claims, as well as parenting, support and other family issues within its jurisdiction.
The Superior Court of Justice is Ontario’s higher trial court. In family law it has jurisdiction over divorce and property claims and can also deal with parenting, contact, child and spousal support, restraining orders and other family matters. At designated Family Court branch locations, the court operates as a unified family court and can also deal with matters such as child protection and adoption.
SCJ family procedure is governed by the Family Law Rules, applicable legislation and court orders, together with the province-wide family practice direction and the practice direction for the judicial region where the case is heard. Filing, Case Center, confirmation, hearing-mode and scheduling requirements can therefore depend on both the type of step and the court location.
What this source covers
The Superior Court guide explains formal offers to settle and directs readers to Rule 18, including the connection between offers and possible costs.
Key pointsAn offer to settle is a formal proposal to resolve one or more issues
The Superior Court guide points to Rule 18 for how offers to settle are made and accepted in family cases.
Offers can matter even if the case does not settle
Offers to settle can later be relevant to costs, so the timing and terms of an offer can have procedural consequences.
For exact wording, dates, exceptions and current requirements, read the original source. Binding law and court directions take priority over explanatory material.
Open the official source ↗Law and rulesRelated official provisions
Binding law / official textFamily Law Rules
Rule 39 — CASE MANAGEMENT IN FAMILY COURT OF SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE
39. Case management in Family Court of Superior Court of Justice
Government of OntarioO. Reg. 114/99
Open official source ↗Binding law / official textFamily Law Rules
Rule 41 — CASE MANAGEMENT IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE (OTHER THAN THE FAMILY COURT OF THE SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE)
41. Case management in the Superior Court of Justice (other than the Family Court of the Superior Court of Justice)
Government of OntarioO. Reg. 114/99
Open official source ↗Binding law / official textEast Region Practice Direction
IN THE EAST REGION, SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE
Criminal Matters
in-person
virtual
in-writing
Trials (jury and non-jury)
x
Pre-trial motions
x
Guilty Pleas
x
Sentencing Hearing
x
Assignment Court /TBST/First Appearance
x
Summary Conviction Appeal
x
Judicial Pre-trials (JPTs)*
x
Bail Hearings – (virtual where practical but otherwise in-person to be addressed at the time of scheduling)*
x
Bail/Detention Reviews – (virtual where practical but otherwise in-person to be addressed at the time of scheduling)*
x
*some centres may conduct these in person if virtual cannot be accommodated for in custody matters See local directives for each court if applicable
Family & Child Protection Matters
in-person
virtual
In-writing
First Appearance Courts
x
Early or Urgent Case Conferences
x
Requests for Urgent Motions
x
CCs, SCs & Combined Conferences**
x
Trial Management Conferences (subject to local practice may be in-person with a settlement focus)
x
Assignment Court /Trial Scheduling Conf
x
Procedural & Consent motions
x…
Ontario Superior Court of JusticeSuperior Court of Justice — East
Open official source ↗Binding law / official textConsolidated Provincial Practice Direction for Family Proceedings
Rule 17 — (7.1) allows parties to make this request after they have tried to resolve the issues that are in dispute through mediation or a Legal Aid Ontario settlement conference, provided the parties confirm:
The dispute resolution process included a screening for power imbalances and domestic violence;
No motions for a temporary order in the case are pending or are contemplated; and
Financial disclosure has been provided.
Counsel or parties make this request by filing a Form 14B: Motion and a Form 17G: Certificate of Dispute Resolution from each party addressing the above requirements.
If the court grants permission, the parties are expected to comply with all requirements relating to a settlement conference, including filing a Form 17C: Settlement Conference Brief and any additional documentation (for example, a Net Family Property Statement, Comparative Net Family Statement, litigation expert reports or Offers to Settle).…
Ontario Superior Court of JusticeSuperior Court of Justice — province-wide
Open official source ↗Binding law / official textCentral West Region Practice Direction
Part 4 — – FAMILY PROCEEDINGS A. Mediation and other Court-Connected Resources
B. Automatic Orders
C. Motions to Change
D. Early Case Conferences – Milton Only
E. Dispute Resolution Officer (DRO) Program
F. Case Conferences Scheduling & Filing
APPLICABLE TO ALL CENTRAL WEST CASE CONFERENCES Case Conference Briefs (Max. 8 pages)
Requirement to Confer and Make Disclosure PRIOR to Case Conference
Confirmation Form
Proceed to a Settlement Conference
G. Settlement Conferences (Max. 12 pages) Scheduling Settlement Conferences
Directions for Settlement Conferences
H. Trial Management Conferences (TMC) FAMILY ASSIGNMENT COURT AND A TMC IN BRAMPTON
Ontario Superior Court of JusticeSuperior Court of Justice — Central West
Open official source ↗Binding law / official textSouthwest Region Practice Direction
Part 6 — : Additional Provisions Regarding the Unified Family Court- London and St. Thomas
A. Family Law matters
Paragraphs 17 – 23 also apply to all family law matters being heard in the Unified Family Court – London except for Child, Youth and Family Services Act .
Previously scheduled settlement conferences, motions, special appointments or summary hearings may be adjourned on consent by obtaining a new date from the Trial Coordinator. A confirmation must then be sent in changing the dates. If the confirmation is sent there is no need for attendance by counsel/party. A separate confirmation must be filed to confirm attendance on the new date in accordance with the Family Law Rules . No more than two consent adjournments will be permitted before an in-person attendance is required.
Trial management conferences with a set trial sittings date may only be adjourned by attendance before the Local Administrative Judge or his/her designate at a time that may be arranged through the Trial Coordinator.
Trial adjournment requests may be made at the Trial Readiness Court if they have not already been addressed at the Trial Management Conference. Attendance is required.…
Ontario Superior Court of JusticeSuperior Court of Justice — Southwest
Open official source ↗Related subjects:Settlement and resolution · Rules and legislation
Further readingRelated rules, forms and explanations
Binding official sourceLaw / rule
Official Ontario statute governing child and family services, including child-protection and adoption proceedings.
Government of OntarioFull ActSource checked 2026-08-07
Binding official sourceLaw / rule
Ontario’s Child, Youth and Family Services Act is the primary provincial statute for child-protection proceedings and related child and family services.
Government of OntarioChild, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017Source checked 2026-08-08
Binding official sourceLaw / rule
Official Ontario statute addressing parentage, decision-making responsibility, parenting time, contact and related child-law matters where it applies.
Government of OntarioFull ActSource checked 2026-08-07
Binding official sourceLaw / rule
Official federal statute governing divorce and related parenting and support orders where the Divorce Act applies.
Department of Justice CanadaFull ActSource checked 2026-08-07
Binding official sourceLaw / rule
Official Ontario statute addressing family property and equalization, support, domestic contracts and related family-law matters.
Government of OntarioFull ActSource checked 2026-08-07
Binding official sourceLaw / rule
Official Family Law Rules provisions governing financial disclosure and financial statements in family proceedings.
Government of OntarioRule 13 — Financial disclosureSource checked 2026-08-07
Binding official sourceLaw / rule
Official Family Law Rules provisions governing motions for temporary orders, including when motions may be brought and procedural requirements.
Government of OntarioRule 14 — Motions for temporary ordersSource checked 2026-08-07
Binding official sourceLaw / rule
Official Family Law Rules provisions for motions to change final orders or filed support agreements, including forms, response procedure and service requirements.
Government of OntarioRule 15 — Motions to change a final order or agreementSource checked 2026-08-07
Binding official sourceLaw / rule
Official Family Law Rules provisions governing summary judgment in family cases.
Government of OntarioRule 16 — Summary judgmentSource checked 2026-08-07
Binding official sourceLaw / rule
Official Family Law Rules provisions governing case conferences, settlement conferences and trial management conferences, including briefs and confirmations.
Government of OntarioRule 17 — ConferencesSource checked 2026-08-07