What are the goals of a settlement conference?

The goals are as to:

• Discuss how to resolve the issues
• Listen to the judge’s opinion on how the court may decide the issues
• Determine the next steps needed to resolve the issues

The judge wants to know about any attempts that you and your ex-spouse have made at settling your issues.The judge will give suggestions about how issues can be resolved and how the law applies. You will be told how the judge might rule at trial. You do not have to agree with the judge’s recommendations. The purpose of the conference is to get you closer to a final resolution by narrowing down the issues.The next step may be another settlement conference or a trial scheduling conference. You are generally not requesting disclosure at this conference.

Where are they held?

They are held in a courtroom or a conference room at the court.

What is the difference between a case conference and a settlement conference?

The role of the judge is different. The judge plays a much more active role at a settlement conference in trying to get you and your partner to find a resolution.

What forms do you need to fill out for a settlement conference?

For a settlement conference, you need to provide: 

• Form 14C: Settlement Conference Brief: This form is typically required for both parties to fill out and file before a settlement conference. It summarizes the issues in dispute, proposals for resolution, and any other relevant information that the court should consider during the conference. It is designed to focus the discussions during the settlement conference toward reaching an agreement. 
• Offer to Settle settling some or all of the issues in your case
• Form 13B: Net Property Statement if the case involves property. In this statement, assets and debts on the day of marriage and separation are calculated.
• Form 13C: Comparative Net Family Property Statement (joint or your own) if there are property issues. This form compares your and your spouse’s assets and debts on the date you married and the date you separated. 

Updated Financial Statement

• • Form 13: Financial Statement: If financial matters, such as child support or spousal support, are at issue in your case, you may need to complete a Financial Statement (Form 13). This form provides detailed information about your income, expenses, assets, liabilities and extraordinary expenses (child support).
  • Form 13.1: Financial Statement (Property and Support Claims): Similar to Form 13, Form 13.1 is used to provide financial information relevant to property division and support claims. It includes detailed information about your financial situation and assets.
  • Form 13A: Certificate of Financial Disclosure: This form is used to confirm that you have provided complete and accurate financial disclosure to the other party as required by the Family Law Rules.
  • Form 17F: Confirmation of Conference Write down the amount of time you and your ex will need to talk at the conference, the specific issues to be addressed  e.g Write down the amount of time you think you’ll need at the conference, the specific issues that will be discussed, and the documents the judge should read.

Are you required to talk to your spouse before the conference?

Starting May 1, 2022, you must try to reach out to your spouse before the settlement conference and 

• share financial information, 
• discuss procedural matters, and 
• attempt to resolve your issues. 

If you do not reach out, your conference might be postponed or you might have to pay your spouse’s legal costs. At the conference, a judge can order costs if the judge feels that one party did not prepare or was unreasonable.

Can orders be made at the conference?

The judge can make procedural orders. If you and your partner agree on any substantive issues during your settlement conference, the judge can make an order based on your agreement. The agreement can be made into a consent agreement or minutes of settlement which the judge turns into a consent order. 

Are these conferences confidential?

At the end of your settlement conference, the settlement conference brief does not remain in your court file. This is because the discussions at a settlement conference are private and can not be shared with another judge or used as evidence in a motion or trial.