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Who will use the Early Resolution Process?

Last updated on November 5, 2025

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 family law matters in Provincial Court.

Abbotsford, Chilliwack, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Pemberton, Port Coquitlam, Richmond, Surrey, Sechelt, Vancouver (Robson Square) and Victoria are the only court locations using early resolution (designated as Early Resolution Registries). 

Other locations may be designated in the future.

How do I know which Provincial Court registry to use?

Cases already filed with the Provincial Court will continue in the registry in which they are filed, unless a party applies to have the file moved to a different registry.

Where there are children involved, file in the closest registry to where the children live most of the time. If there are no children involved, the person starting the process files in the registry closest to where they live.

You are filing in an Early Resolution Registry if the nearest court location is one of the following:

  • Abbotsford
  • Chilliwack
  • New Westminster
  • North Vancouver
  • Pemberton
  • Port Coquitlam
  • Richmond
  • Sechelt
  • Surrey
  • Vancouver (Robson Square)

Does the Early Resolution Process include Ministry of Children and Family Development child protection matters?

The Early Resolution Process is only for family matters under the Family Law Act in Provincial Court. The process does not apply to matters under the Children, Family and Community Services Act or the Adoption Act.

The Early Resolution process is not for:

  • Child protection matters
  • Matters brought to Provincial Court by the Ministry of Children and Family Development or an Indigenous Child and Family Service Agency

There is a process called an Application About a Priority Parenting Matter, which proceeds outside of the Early Resolution Process, for cases where a child has been removed or is at risk of removal under the Children, Family and Community Services Act, and the Director under the Children, Family and Community Services Act has advised that an order under the Family Law Act will address the issue.

If you are involved in a child protection matter and interested in mediation, there is a separate Child Protection Mediation program that may be available to you. 

Legal Aid BC's Parents Legal Centre helps parents work together to settle their child protection matters early on. It offers services at any stage of the child protection case, from first contact with the Ministry of Children and Family Development or a delegated Aboriginal agency, until it's obvious the matter can't be settled out of court in a cooperative way.