Binding official source Law / rule

Family Law Rules — Rule 17: Conferences

Government of Ontario

Source sectionRule 17 — Conferences

Source checked2026-08-07

Related explanation

Process

Case conferences

Court: Ontario family courts — court-specific procedure may differ

A case conference is an early case-management and settlement event where the court identifies the issues, explores resolution and gives procedural directions.

A case conference is usually one of the first major court events after the pleadings are in place. It gives the judge an overview of the issues, the parties’ positions, the information still needed and the steps that may move the case toward resolution. The court can make procedural and certain other orders within the authority provided by Rule 17.

Each party normally files a case conference brief rather than simply re-filing all previous material. The brief should make the disputed issues and requested directions understandable. Service, filing and confirmation deadlines are set by the Family Law Rules and may be supplemented by court-specific directions.

Source summary

What this source covers

Official Family Law Rules provisions governing case conferences, settlement conferences and trial management conferences, including briefs and confirmations.

For exact wording, dates, exceptions and current requirements, read the original source. Binding law and court directions take priority over explanatory material.

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Law and rules

Related official provisions

Binding law / official textCentral West Region Practice Direction

Rule 13 — (3.1) of the Family Law Rules sets out which documents MUST be included with a Financial Statement where child or spousal support has been sought. An updated Certificate of Financial Disclosure must be provided to the other party.

A party who has not made all reasonable efforts to comply with their disclosure obligations may be subject to a cost sanction, directions/terms imposed and/or the adjournment of any motion brought by that party until compliance. In egregious cases, upon motion, continued non-compliance may result in a party’s pleadings being struck or found in contempt of Court. C. Motions to Change The Family Law Rules direct the Court to determine the next steps in a Motion to Change, with a view to ensuring that these motions proceed in the most efficient manner appropriate in the circumstances. The Court is directed to determine the most appropriate process for reaching an expeditious and just conclusion of the case in the circumstances. A new Motion to Change Endorsement form is available here. Parties are encouraged to provide a draft Motion to Change Endorsement form with their materials for the first judicial conference to obtain early direction regarding the most appropriate process for the case.…

Ontario Superior Court of JusticeSuperior Court of Justice — Central West

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Binding law / official textConsolidated Provincial Practice Direction for Family Proceedings

Rule 13 — (3.1) of the Family Law Rules addresses the documents that must be included with a party’s financial statement where child or spousal support has been sought. A party should provide an updated Certificate of Financial Disclosure (Form 13A) to the other party with this documentation.

If disclosure cannot be resolved prior to the case conference, the party seeking disclosure must include in their materials a list of the outstanding disclosure in accordance with Rule 13(11.01) of the Family Law Rules . The court may award costs pursuant to Rules 17(18) or 24(7) where a party has failed to comply with their disclosure obligations. Counsel and parties should address all disclosure issues in advance of the settlement conference. Any motions for disclosure must be heard in advance of the settlement conference. More information about financial statements and the documents that shall be exchanged to support a financial statement is available here . 1. Automatic Disclosure Orders Under Rule 8.0.1

Ontario Superior Court of JusticeSuperior Court of Justice — province-wide

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Binding law / official textConsolidated Provincial Practice Direction for Family Proceedings

Rule 8.0 — .1 of the Family Law Rules directs the court to issue an automatic order when certain claims are made in an Application, Motion to Change or Answer. This order requires parties to comply with their financial disclosure responsibilities.

The party who receives automatic order from the court must serve the order on every other party in the case according to Rule 8.0.1(5). A party who has not made all reasonable efforts to comply with their disclosure obligations in advance of the case conference may be responsible for the other party’s costs. Upon filing the originating materials, parties will receive a reminder to attend a Mandatory Information Program (Rule 8.1) and to provide an updated email address on all court documents.

Ontario Superior Court of JusticeSuperior Court of Justice — province-wide

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Binding law / official textConsolidated Provincial Practice Direction for Family Proceedings

Rule 17 — applies to case conferences including those heard by a DRO pursuant to Rule 17(9).

Parties attending a dispute resolution conference (DRC) must comply with the document requirements under Rule 17, including advance filing of: a Form 17A: Case Conference Brief, which on a motion to change should include: a copy of the previous order that is the subject of the motion to change; documentation supporting the “change in circumstance”; and a description of the change being sought. The deadline for serving and filing Form 17A prior to the DRC is 6 business days for the applicant/moving party, and four business days for the respondent. A form 17F: Confirmation Form must also be filed not later than 2:00 pm three business days prior to the date scheduled for the DRC. Parties must upload their stamped court documents into the appropriate Case Center bundle promptly (a) after receiving confirmation from the court that the documents have been accepted for filing; or (b) with respect to a new case, after receiving an invitation to the Case Center case and bundles. Failure to comply with this direction may result in the matter being adjourned.…

Ontario Superior Court of JusticeSuperior Court of Justice — province-wide

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Binding law / official textFamily Law Rules

Rule 17 — CONFERENCES

17. Conferences

Government of OntarioO. Reg. 114/99

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Binding law / official textConsolidated Provincial Practice Direction for Family Proceedings

Rule 1.3 — of the Family Law Rules requires a member of the public to give 10 days’ written notice to the parties before the member of the public may access a family court file involving:

Decision-making responsibility, parenting time or contact with respect to a child under the Divorce Act or Part III of the Children’s Law Reform Act ; Orders under Part I of the Children’s Law Reform Act (parentage); or International child abduction. The member of the public must also send notice to the Children’s Lawyer if the Children’s Lawyer is representing a child in the case or conducting an investigation for the court. After receiving notice, a party who wishes to restrict access to the file has 10 days to file a 14B motion. If such a motion is brought, court staff may refuse the requested access until the court decides the motion. Before the member of the public is granted access to the file, they must file an affidavit (Form 14A) confirming 1) the date on which they gave notice under Rule 1.3, to whom and by what method; and 2) that they have not been served with a motion for a restricted access order. The following persons are exempt from the notice requirement under Family Court Rule 1.3: A party or their counsel;…

Ontario Superior Court of JusticeSuperior Court of Justice — province-wide

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Related subjects:Conferences and required steps · Settlement and resolution · Trial · Forms and documents · Rules and legislation