Trusted public legal education Plain-language guide

Prepare for your trial management conference

Steps to Justice / CLEO

Source sectionTrial management conference purpose and preparation

Source checked2026-08-07

VersionCurrent page verified August 7, 2026

Related explanation

Process

Trial management conferences

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

A trial management conference is used to make sure the unresolved case is ready for trial and to organize how the trial will proceed.

A trial management conference is a late-stage conference focused on trial readiness. The court identifies the issues that actually require a trial, the witnesses and evidence expected, estimated hearing time, outstanding disclosure or procedural problems and any final settlement possibilities.

The required brief and confirmation forms are governed by Rule 17 and current court directions. A trial management conference is not itself the trial: evidence is not ordinarily proved there in the same way it will be at trial, but inaccurate or incomplete trial-readiness information can make it harder to schedule and conduct the trial efficiently.

Source summary

What this source covers

Plain-language orientation to the trial management conference and Rule 17 preparation when a case is heading to trial.

Key points

This conference is about trial readiness

Steps to Justice explains that a trial management conference is scheduled when issues remain unresolved and the case needs to be readied for trial.

The court still looks for settlement opportunities

The guide notes that the conference is also another opportunity to try to resolve the case.

Rule 17 remains the conference rule

Steps to Justice directs users to Rule 17 for what must be done to prepare and what happens at the conference.

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 textNorthwest Region Practice Direction

Part 4 — : CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS A. Pre-trial Conferences

B. Trial Scheduling C. Bail Hearings, Bail Reviews and Detention Reviews

Ontario Superior Court of JusticeSuperior Court of Justice — Northwest

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Binding law / official textConsolidated Provincial Practice Direction for Family Proceedings

Part H — : Conferences

1. Filing Materials for Conferences Focused materials facilitate better conferences. Unfortunately, many filings include irrelevant or excessive material with voluminous attachments. Counsel and parties must prepare material that is focused and includes only documents directly relevant to the outstanding issues. a) Font Size and Spacing All documents filed for a family conference or motion must be prepared using at least 12-point font and double spacing. b) Restrictions on Filing Conference Materials (Page Limits and Attachments) Case conference briefs shall not exceed 8 pages, pluspermissible attachments (as defined below) and additional documents that are required below or by the Family Law Rules . The 8-page limit includes the brief (Form 17A) and any additional pages of facts or argument attached an appendix or schedule. Settlement conference briefs shall not exceed 12 pages, plus permissible attachments (as defined below) and additional documents that are required below or by theFamily Law Rules .…

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 — (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

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Binding law / official textCentral West Region Practice Direction

UNCONTESTED TRIALS

If no Answer is filed within the Family Law Rules timelines, an Applicant may seek final Orders on an uncontested trial by 14B Motion (Rule 23(22)). Assuming proper service of the Application was made on the opposing party and has been documented in the file, notice of an uncontested trial on a defaulting party is strongly recommended. A draft Form 25D Order must be filed with the 14B Motion. All uncontested trials must have their trial materials uploaded to Case Center, including pleadings and affidavits of service. D. Motions to Transfer Civil Matte rs All requests for a transfer of a civil proceeding from one judicial region to another must comply with Rule 13.01.02 of the Rules of Civil Procedure and the Consolidated Provincial Practice Direction for Civil Proceedings . In accordance with Rule 13.1.01(3) and in keeping with Rules 13.1.01(1) and (2), mortgage proceedings are to be commenced in the county where the property in question is located and more particularly, as follows: Regional Municipality of Peel: Brampton Regional Municipality of Halton: Milton…

Ontario Superior Court of JusticeSuperior Court of Justice — Central West

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Binding law / official textConsolidated Provincial Practice Direction for Family Proceedings

Part H — : Conferences 1. Filing Materials for Conferences a) Font Size and Spacing

b) Restrictions on Filing Conference Materials (Page Limits and Attachments) 2. Requirements to Confer in Advance of a Conference 3. Confirmation Forms for Conferences 4. Early Judicial Intervention and Procedural Direction 5. Combined Case/Settlement Conference 6. Settlement Conferences and Trial Scheduling Conferences 7. Trial Management Conferences 8. Dispute Resolution Officer (DRO) Program a) Role and Conduct of the DRO b) Dispute Resolution Conferences (DRCs) c) DRO Conference Reports d) Next Steps after the DRC e) Local Schedules & Procedures Regarding DRO Programs f) Complaints Process

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

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Binding law / official textCentral East Region Practice Direction

Rule 7 — of the Rules of Civil Procedure addresses the approval of proposed settlements for parties under disability. In the Central East Region, Rule 7 motions and applications should be submitted as in-writing motions through the filing office. It is the responsibility of counsel to clearly indicate that a motion or application falls under Rule. If counsel and parties wish to have their Rule 7 motion heard in person, they should send an email to the local Trial Coordinator, who will then forward the request to the respective judge.

Uploading to Case Center is NOT required for in-writing Rule 7 motions. 4. Consent, Without Notice, and Unopposed Motions (Basket Motions) Simple, procedural, consent, and uncontested matters must be brought as a basket motion. A draft Order must be filed in Word and PDF format. Where these motions are brought on a regular or short motions list, the motion judge will direct the party to file the “basket motion” and may make a cost award against the party bringing the regular motion. All basket motions in writing must be filed with the court office in accordance with the filing requirements above and payment of the applicable filing fee being made. They will be put before a judge in chambers for review in the normal course. Basket motions may not be “filed” by delivering them to the Trial Co-ordinator for a judge to review, or by sending them by email or otherwise directly to a judge of the court. Uploading to Case Center is NOT required for basket motions .…

Ontario Superior Court of JusticeSuperior Court of Justice — Central East

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Related subjects:Conferences and required steps · Trial · Forms and documents · Evidence, affidavits and witnesses