What if I have recently worked with a private mediator or was part of a collaborative family law process, or would prefer to do so?
Last updated on May 4, 2026The Early Resolution Process is a free service that applies to family law matters, such as parenting arrangements, contact with a child, child support, spousal support, and companion animals. It is designed to reduce conflict, resolve disputes out of court and develop plans in the best interests of children.
The Early Resolution Process applies to issues under the Family Law Act in certain Provincial Court registry locations. In these registries, there are Early Resolution Requirements for families who want to resolve a family law matter in Provincial Court. Family Justice Centres and Justice Access Centres in those locations provide services that meet those requirements.
All Provincial Court registries in the Vancouver Coastal, Vancouver Fraser, Vancouver Island, and Interior (including Okanagan and Kootenay) regions are designated Early Resolution Registries. Other locations may be designated in the future.
See the list of Early Resolution Registries, filing locations and Family Justice Services Division (FJSD) offices for more information about:
- Which Provincial Court registries are Early Resolution Registries
- Where to file documents with each registry
- Where to go to get help with the Early Resolution Requirements
One of the requirements of the early resolution process is to take part in at least one consensual dispute resolution session, if it is appropriate to do so. A Family Justice Counsellor or a Child Support Officer (if you only need to address child or spousal support issues) can provide services free of charge.
Or you may decide to hire a private family mediator (who meets the requirements of being a family dispute resolution professional under s. 4 of the Family Law Act Regulation) or participate in a private collaborative law process under a collaborative participation agreement.
If you have recently met with a private mediator or have been part of a collaborative family law practice, confirmation from that professional is required. To qualify, service must have been within the past year.
Your mediator or collaborative family law professional can complete the Confirmation of Conclusion of CDR with a Private CDR Professional form and send it directly to Family Justice Services Division.
For more information, private mediators and collaborative family law professionals can read the Information for Private Consensual Dispute Resolution Practitioners (PDF, 310KB)