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→Conferences in the Provincial Court
====The purposes of family case conferences====
The main purpose of family case conferences is to try to reach a settlement of claims about parenting issues. Although Rule 7 limits the availability of family case conferences to court proceedings involving parenting issues, this Rule doesn't say that nothing else can be discussed. The judge may be prepared to deal with issues about child support, spousal support and protection orders at a family case conference as well.
Family case conferences are relatively informal affairs, and most of the time everyone sits at a large table with the judge who is hearing the case conferences. Family case conferences are private. Under Rule 7(3), the judge may give permission for other people, including a child, to attend. Family case conferences are held on an off-the-record basis, so that nothing said in the case conference can be used against anyone later on.