What if I need to get a court order right away for something like a Protection Order?
Last updated on May 1, 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
The Provincial Court Family Rules include processes for seeking protection orders or orders for priority parenting matters on a time sensitive basis. These issues will not use the Early Resolution Process.
A judge will hear those matters first. If there are outstanding family law matters, families will be referred to the Early Resolution Process to address those issues.
In addition to protection orders and priority parenting matters, the other applications that do not require early assessment, parenting education or consensual dispute resolution are:
- Relocation
- Consent order
- Enforcement
- Case management
Staff at any Family Justice Centre or Justice Access Centre can help a person identify their needs, get referrals to community resources and get help with the paperwork to file an application for a court order.