New Rule: Parties in Family Court Can Reduce Required Appearances If They Mediate!
07.30.2021
Effective August 1, 2021, judges can combine mandatory conferences if the parties
have tried mediation.
Given long wait times for dates and the expense of repeated conferences, this Rule
change is a positive step for litigants.
Toronto Family Mediation Services (mediate393 inc.) is available for immediate online
mediation for litigants wishing to take advantage of the new Rule.
This free service is provided by government-approved mediators, many of whom are
family lawyers themselves.
It is easy to access; just file an intake form on the mediate393.ca website here.
Once the service has received two intake forms the mediation will be scheduled.
Parties have separate confidential intake meetings first.
If there are safety or other reasons why mediation is not appropriate, the mediator will
simply note that the parties attended their intake meetings and mediation was deemed
inappropriate. Neither party is blamed for the mediator’s decision to not proceed.
Mediators are trained to provide safety planning and other supportive referrals whether
mediation proceeds or not.
Everything is confidential unless child protection or other urgent safety concerns are
raised.
Parties and their counsel will be sent a link to a secure document sharing portal for
disclosure.
After attending the mediation, parties file a Form 17G, Certificate of Dispute Resolution.
This easy, quick, accessible and free service is available in English and en francais.
For more information call 416-593-5393 or email info@mediate393.ca.