Parent Information Sessions at Family Court Locations

All 17 Family Court locations offer parent information sessions.

Topics covered in the sessions include:

• the negative effects on children of protracted litigation and hostility between parents
• children's needs at various stages of development
• parenting responsibilities and strategies for problem solving after separation
• the impact of violence in the family on children
• community resources for children

All parents involved in a separation, or contemplating separation, may attend these sessions and judges may recommend that parties to custody and access disputes participate in them. Arrangements are made to ensure that each parent attends a separate session.

Parent Information Program in Toronto

The Parent Information Program at the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto provides two-hour sessions that cover the following topics:

• how to complete court paperwork
• the language of court proceedings
• the role of lawyers
• alternatives to litigation
• types of custody arrangements
• support obligations and their enforcement
• how to calculate child support under the guidelines

This is a voluntary program consisting of a two-hour seminar, presented by a lawyer and a social worker. Participants are provided with printed material and a list of resources. The project is primarily aimed at unrepresented clients.

Information sessions are held three times a month in downtown Toronto, at the YMCA, 20 Grosvenor Street, and once a month in North York, at the Ontario Court of Justice, 47 Sheppard Avenue East.

For more information, please call (416) 650-8104.

Family Information Sessions at the Superior Court of Justice in Toronto

At the Superior Court of Justice in Toronto, all parties in contested matters are required to attend a Family Information Session where they obtain information about the process of separation and divorce, options for dispute resolution, legal procedures and support available in the community. Parties are not permitted to proceed to the next step in the case, which is a case planning meeting with a judge, unless they have a certificate of attendance. Judges can make exceptions in cases of urgency, hardship or for other compelling reasons.

The sessions are presented by a lawyer and a mediator or social worker who volunteer their time to the project. The sessions are held regularly throughout the month. Arrangements are made to ensure that each party attends a separate session.

To register, or for more information, please call (416) 326-6214.