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Saskatchewan High Conflict Family Mediation Project

DescriptionJoint project between Queen's Bench and Ministry of Justice helping high-conflict families resolve parenting issues with the assistance of a mediator.
StatusOngoing pilot
JurisdictionSaskatchewan
CourtCourt of Queen's Bench
Body responsible
  • Court of Queen's Bench
  • Dispute Resolution Office of the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General
Subjects
  • family law
  • mediation
  • Saskatchewan Court of Queen's Bench
  • Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice and Attorney General
Timeline 
2008Pilot project launched in Saskatoon
2009Evaluation research project initiated
Publications
Development
Court of Queen's Bench, in partnership with the Dispute Resolution Office of the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General, launched the High Conflict Case Conference and Mediation Project in Saskatoon in 2008.
Purpose
The project helps high-conflict families resolve parenting issues with the assistance of a Queen's Bench Judge and a mediator.
Description of reforms
It has become increasingly apparent that some parents are unable to resolve ongoing parenting issues without resorting to numerous, costly court applications. The intent of the pilot project is to assist families in resolving their disputes through greater access to mediation programs. The Mediator assists each parent, and helps the parents reach their own agreement.
2008 News Release
Currently, there is a team of eight mediators involved in the Project. The Court determines which cases should be referred to the mediation pilot project based on factors such as:
  • the number of court applications made relating to custody and access issues;
  • one or both parents are unrepresented or have had several changes of legal counsel;
  • access denials have been threatened or are occurring;
  • the parents have difficulty agreeing about discipline or rules for the children; or
  • communication is poor or non-existent with an on-going pattern of anger or distress for the parents or their children.
In some instances, such as when there has been a history of violence or abuse, criminal activity, substance abuse, or mental health issues, the Court may decide that mediation is not appropriate.
2008 News Release
The Saskatoon judiciary has been supportive of the pilot project.
Criteria and methods of evaluation
Evaluation of the success of the pilot project has been initiated by the Federal Government and the results are expected within 6 to 8 months of the contract being finalized.
Revision History
  • This summary was created on 2009-05-21
  • It was last reviewed to ensure currency on 2009-05-28

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URL

http://cfcj-fcjc.org/inventory/reform.php?id=100