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Who will use the Early Resolution Process?

Last updated on May 1, 2026

The 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.

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.

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

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.