Rule 2, definition of "family violence" (part) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 302/2021, effective January 4, 2022.
"family violence" includes
Rule 2, definition of "method of attendance" was added by BC Reg 302/2021, effective January 4, 2022.
Rule 2, definition of "priority parenting matter", paragraph (h) was added by BC Reg 302/2021, effective January 4, 2022.
Rule 2, definition of "family law matter", paragraph (f) was added by BC Reg 214/2023, effective January 15, 2024.
Rule 2 (1), definition of "family justice registry" BEFORE repealed by BC Reg 17/2026, effective May 1, 2026.
"family justice registry" means a registry specified in rule 6 (b) to which Part 6 [Family Justice Registries] applies;
Rule 2 (1), definition of "needs assessor" BEFORE amended by BC Reg 17/2026, effective May 1, 2026.
"needs assessor" means a family justice counsellor who conducts a needs assessment under rule 16 [participating in needs assessment] or 93 [participating in needs assessment in family justice registries];
Rule 5 (b) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 214/2023, effective January 15, 2024.
(b) property division and pension division, which are addressed under
(ii) the Supreme Court Family Rules;
Rule 5 (b.1) was added by BC Reg 214/2023, effective January 15, 2024.
Rule 6 (c) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 302/2021, effective January 4, 2022.
(c) the Abbotsford, Campbell River, Chilliwack, Courtenay, Kamloops, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Penticton, Port Coquitlam, Prince George, Richmond, and Vernon registries are parenting education program registries for the purposes of Part 7 [Parenting Education Program Registries].
Rule 6 (a) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 138/2024, effective November 1, 2024.
(a) the Surrey and Victoria registries are an early resolution registry for the purposes of Part 2 [Early Resolution Registries],
Rule 6 (a) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 138/2024, effective April 1, 2025.
(a) the Port Coquitlam, Surrey and Victoria registries are an early resolution registry for the purposes of Part 2 [Early Resolution Registries],
Rule 6 (a) and (b) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 138/2024, effective November 1, 2025.
(a) the Abbotsford, Chilliwack, New Westminster, Port Coquitlam, Surrey and Victoria registries are an early resolution registry for the purposes of Part 2 [Early Resolution Registries],
(b) the Kelowna, Nanaimo and Vancouver (Robson Square) registries are family justice registries for the purposes of Part 6 [Family Justice Registries],
Rule 6 (a) and (c) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 17/2026, effective May 1, 2026.
(a) the Abbotsford, Chilliwack, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Pemberton, Port Coquitlam, Richmond, Sechelt, Surrey, Vancouver (Robson Square) and Victoria registries are an early resolution registry for the purposes of Part 2 [Early Resolution Registries],
(c) all registries, except early resolution registries and family justice registries, are parenting education program registries for the purposes of Part 7 [Parenting Education Program Registries], and
Rule 6 (b) BEFORE repealed by BC Reg 17/2026, effective May 1, 2026.
(b) the Kelowna and Nanaimo registries are family justice registries for the purposes of Part 6 [Family Justice Registries],
Rule 9 BEFORE re-enacted by BC Reg 138/2024, effective November 1, 2025.
Rule 9 BEFORE re-enacted by BC Reg 17/2026, effective May 1, 2026.
Rule 12 (a) and (c) (part) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 126/2021, effective May 14, 2021.
(a) do not apply if the application about the family law matter is only for child support and that party has assigned child support rights to the government under the Employment and Assistance Act or the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act,
(c) are not required if a party is only applying for one or more of the following orders under Part 5 [Applying for Other Orders]:
Rule 12 (c) (vi) was added by BC Reg 126/2021, effective May 14, 2021.
Rule 24 (1) (b) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 214/2023, effective January 15, 2024.
(b) an order to change or cancel all or part of an existing final order about a family law matter;
Rule 25 (1) (b) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 126/2021, effective May 14, 2021.
(b) for an order about child support, a financial statement in Form 4 [Financial Statement] and any information or documents required by the child support guidelines;
Rule 26 (1) (a) and (b) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 126/2021, effective May 14, 2021.
(a) a record check from the Ministry of Children and Family Development;
(b) a child protection order record check from the child protection order registry;
Rule 37 BEFORE amended by BC Reg 17/2026, effective May 1, 2026.
Scheduling family management conference if reply filed
37 Subject to rules 39 [requirements to be met before scheduling family management conference in family justice registry] and 40 [requirements to be met before scheduling family management conference in parenting education registry], if an application about a family law matter and a reply have been filed, the registry must provide the parties with information about the procedure for scheduling a family management conference.
Rule 38 (part) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 17/2026, effective May 1, 2026.
Scheduling family management conference if no reply filed
38 Subject to rules 39 [requirements to be met before scheduling family management conference in family justice registry] and 40 [requirements to be met before scheduling family management conference in parenting education registry], if a party has filed an application about a family law matter and
Rule 39 BEFORE repealed by BC Reg 17/2026, effective May 1, 2026.
Requirements to be met before scheduling family
management conference in family justice registry
39 (1) If a case is in a family justice registry, the registry may not provide a party with information about the procedure for scheduling a family management conference unless a party has filed a referral request in Form 21 [Referral Request] following the completion of a needs assessment.
(2) The registry may not schedule a family management conference for a case in a family justice registry unless a party has filed
(a) a referral request in Form 21 [Referral Request] following the completion of a needs assessment, and
(i) a certificate of completion of a parenting education program;
(ii) a notice of exemption in Form 20 [Notice of Exemption from Parenting Education Program].
Rule 49 (b) BEFORE repealed by BC Reg 17/2026, effective May 1, 2026.
(b) the family justice registry requirements described in rule 89 [requirements in family justice registries];
Rule 62 (k) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 302/2021, effective January 4, 2022.
(k) allowing a person to attend a conference or hearing using electronic communication, including by telephone or video;
Rule 63 (2) (b) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 302/2021, effective January 4, 2022.
(b) allowing a person to attend a conference or hearing using electronic communication, including by telephone or video, if the conference or hearing is before a family justice manager;
Rule 65 (1) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 126/2021, effective May 14, 2021.
(1) A party may apply for the case management orders described in rules 62 (g) to (j) [case management orders — judge] and 63 (2) (a) or (b) [case management orders — family justice manager] without notice to any other parties or without attending before the court by filing an application for case management order without notice or attendance in Form 11 [Application for Case Management Order Without Notice or Attendance].
Rule 66 (b) BEFORE repealed by BC Reg 17/2026, effective May 1, 2026.
(b) the family justice registry requirements under rule 89 [requirements in family justice registries] of these rules;
Rule 75 (b) BEFORE repealed by BC Reg 17/2026, effective May 1, 2026.
(b) the family justice registry requirements under rule 89 [requirements in family justice registries];
Rule 90 (1) (c) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 126/2021, effective May 14, 2021.
(c) are not required if a party is only applying for one or more orders under Part 5 [Applying for Other Orders].
Rule 94 (1) and (3) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 126/2021, effective May 14, 2021.
(1) Each party must complete a parenting education program unless a local manager of the Family Justice Services Division of the Ministry of Attorney General, or a designate of the local manager, exempts that party because
(a) the family law matter is related only to spousal support,
(b) every child involved in the family law matter has reached 19 years of age,
(c) the party cannot access an online version,
(d) the parenting education program is not offered in a language in which the party is fluent,
(e) the party cannot complete an online version due to literacy challenges,
(f) the party cannot complete the parenting education program due to a serious medical condition, or
(g) a consent order is filed that resolves all issues involving children.
(3) The requirement under subrule (1) to complete a parenting education program does not apply if the party has already completed the parenting education program in the 2 years before the date of the family management conference.
Part 6 BEFORE repealed by BC Reg 17/2026, effective May 1, 2026.
Part 6 — Family Justice Registries
Application of Part
87 The rules set out in this Part apply in the following family justice registries, as set out in rule 6 (b) [Parts that apply in certain registries]:
(c) Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 138/2024, Sch. 3, s. 3.]
[en. B.C. Reg. 236/2020, Sch. 2, s. 6; am. B.C. Reg. 138/2024, Sch. 3, s. 3.]
Definition
88 In this Part, "certificate of completion" means a certificate issued on behalf of the Ministry of Attorney General attesting that the person named has completed a parenting education program.
Requirements in family justice registries
89 (1) Before attending a family management conference under Part 4 [Family Management Conferences], parties seeking resolution of a family law matter in a family justice registry must meet the requirements described in subrule (2).
(2) Unless otherwise provided in these rules, each party must
(a) participate in a needs assessment under rule 93 [participating in needs assessment in family justice registries], and
(b) complete a parenting education program under rule 94 [completing parenting education program in family justice registries].
Exceptions to family justice registry requirements
90 (1) The family justice registry requirements described in rule 89 (2)
(a) do not apply if the application about a family law matter is only for support and that party has assigned support rights to the government under the Employment and Assistance Act or the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act,
(b) cease to apply if the court file for the case is transferred under rule 62 [case management orders — judge] or 63 [case management orders — family justice manager] to a registry that is not a family justice registry, and
(c) are not required if a party is only applying for one or more orders under Part 5 [Applying for Other Orders] or Part 10 [Enforcement].
(2) For certainty, if a party applies for an order about a family law matter and
(a) an order about a protection order under Part 9 [Protection from Family Violence] of the Family Law Act, or
(b) a priority parenting matter,
the party may apply for the order about the protection order or the priority parenting matter before complying with the family justice requirements described in rule 89 (2).
[am. B.C. Reg. 126/2021, Sch. 1, s. 7.]
Certain parties exempt from requirements
91 A party who is the government, a minister or a public officer is not required to meet the requirements that apply to a party under this Part.
First referral by clerk
92 After a party files an application about a family law matter or a reply to an application about a family law matter, a clerk must refer the parties to a needs assessor for a needs assessment under rule 93 [participating in needs assessment in family justice registries].
Participating in needs assessment in family justice registries
93 Unless otherwise provided in these rules, each party must participate individually in a needs assessment conducted by a needs assessor for the following:
(a) assistance with identifying legal and non-legal needs;
(b) information about resolving issues, including
(i) how to resolve family law matters and other issues out of court, and
(ii) next steps in the court process;
(i) a referral to an appropriate parenting education program, or
(ii) an exemption from a parenting education program under Part 7 [Parenting Education Program Registries];
(d) referrals to other resources, including where and how
(ii) to access legal information,
(iii) to access resources for issues that are not legal in nature, and
(iv) to access resources for children dealing with family changes;
(e) referrals to consensual dispute resolution or to another family dispute resolution professional, if appropriate;
(f) assessment of any risk of family violence;
(g) referrals to other resources for individuals and families experiencing or concerned about family violence.
Completing parenting education program in family justice registries
94 (1) Each party must complete a parenting education program unless a local manager of the Family Justice Services Division of the Ministry of Attorney General, or a designate of the local manager, exempts that party because
(a) the party cannot access an online version,
(b) the parenting education program is not offered in a language in which the party is fluent,
(c) the party cannot complete an online version due to literacy challenges,
(d) the party cannot complete the parenting education program due to a serious medical condition, or
(e) a consent order is filed that resolves all issues involving children.
(2) To request an exemption from the requirement under subrule (1), a party must submit a request for exemption in Form 20 [Notice of Exemption from Parenting Education Program] to the Family Justice Services Division of the Ministry of Attorney General for approval.
(3) The requirement under subrule (1) to complete a parenting education program does not apply if
(a) the party has already completed the parenting education program in the 2 years before the date of the family management conference,
(b) the family law matter is related only to spousal support,
(b.1) the family law matter is related only to property division in respect of a companion animal,
(b.2) the family law matter is related to both spousal support and property division in respect of a companion animal, or
(c) every child involved in the family law matter has reached 19 years of age.
(4) A party may demonstrate completion of or exemption from the parenting education program by filing one of the following, as applicable:
(a) a certificate of completion;
(b) a notice of exemption in Form 20 [Notice of Exemption from Parenting Education Program].
[am. B.C. Regs. 126/2021, Sch. 1, s. 8; 214/2023, s. 7.]
Referral to judge after demonstrating completion of
or exemption from parenting education program
95 At any time after having met the family justice registry requirements described in rule 89 (2) [requirements in family justice registries], a party may request to attend a family management conference on one or more issues in the case by filing a referral request in Form 21 [Referral Request].
Scheduling family management conferences
96 After the parties have filed a referral request in Form 21 [Referral Request] and a party has demonstrated completion or exemption of a parenting education program, the registry must provide the parties with information about the procedure for scheduling a family management conference under Part 4 [Family Management Conferences].
Rule 97 BEFORE re-enacted by BC Reg 302/2021, effective January 4, 2022.
Rule 100 (1) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 126/2021, effective May 14, 2021.
(1) Before attending a family management conference about an application about a family law matter, each party must complete a parenting education program unless a local manager of the Family Justice Services Division of the Ministry of Attorney General or a designate of the local manager exempts that party because
(a) the family law matter is related only to spousal support,
(b) every child involved in the family law matter has reached 19 years of age,
(c) the party cannot access an online version,
(d) the parenting education program is not offered in a language in which the party is fluent,
(e) the party cannot complete an online version due to literacy challenges,
(f) the party cannot complete the parenting education program due to a serious medical condition, or
(g) a consent order is filed that resolves all issues involving children.
Rule 100 (3) (c) and (d) were added by BC Reg 126/2021, effective May 14, 2021.
Rule 110 (b) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 126/2021, effective May 14, 2021.
(b) at least 30 days before the first date of trial if no trial preparation conference is scheduled.
Rule 113 BEFORE re-enacted by BC Reg 126/2021, effective May 14, 2021.
Trial judge and trial preparation conference
113 (1) Subject to subrule (2), the judge who conducts the trial preparation conference is to conduct the trial, if possible.
(2) If the judge who conducts a trial preparation conference makes an order, direction or determination
(a) that a party submit evidence by affidavit under rule 112 (1) (i) (iii) [what happens at trial preparation conference], or
(b) about an alternative trial process under rule 112 (2),
the same judge must conduct the trial.
Part 9, Division 5, rules 124 to 130 was brought into force by BC Reg 120/2020, effective May 16, 2022.
Rule 137 (1) (part) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 302/2021, effective January 4, 2022.
(1) If a party is served with an application under this Part and chooses to reply, the party
Rule 156 (1) (part) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 126/2021, effective May 14, 2021.
(1) If any of the following circumstances apply, a party may request that a court appearance be scheduled and must file and serve on each other party a request for scheduling in Form 39 [Request for Scheduling]:
Rule 164 (1) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 302/2021, effective January 4, 2022.
(1) The court may allow a person to attend a court appearance by means of electronic communication, including by telephone or video conference.
Rule 164 (3) was added by BC Reg 302/2021, effective January 4, 2022.
Appendix BEFORE re-enacted by BC Reg 110/2024, effective August 12, 2024.
Form 1 — Notice to Resolve a Family Law Matter [en. B.C. Reg. 214/2023, s. 10.]
Form 2 — Notice of Intention to Proceed
Form 3 — Application About a Family Law Matter [en. B.C. Reg. 214/2023, s. 10.]
Form 4 — Financial Statement [en. B.C. Reg. 302/2021, Sch. 3.]
Form 5 — Guardianship Affidavit
Form 6 — Reply to an Application About a Family Law Matter [en. B.C. Reg. 214/2023, s. 10.]
Form 7 — Certificate of Service
Form 8 — Reply to a Counter Application [en. B.C. Reg. 214/2023, s. 10.]
Form 9 — Application for Permission and Review of Family Justice Manager Order or Direction
Form 10 — Application for Case Management Order [en. B.C. Reg. 9/2024.]
Form 11 — Application for Case Management Order Without Notice or Attendance [en. B.C. Reg. 9/2024.]
Form 12 — Application About a Protection Order [en. B.C. Reg. 302/2021, Sch. 3.]
Form 14 — Order Terminating a Protection Order
Form 15 — Application About Priority Parenting Matter [en. B.C. Reg. 302/2021, Sch. 3.]
Form 16 — Application for Order Prohibiting the Relocation of a Child [en. B.C. Reg. 302/2021, Sch. 3.]
Form 17 — Application for a Family Law Matter Consent Order [en. B.C. Reg. 214/2023, s. 10.]
Form 19 — Written Response to Application [en. B.C. Reg. 302/2021, Sch. 3.]
Form 20 — Notice of Exemption from Parenting Education Program [en. B.C. Reg. 214/2023, s. 10.]
Form 21 — Referral Request [en. B.C. Reg. 214/2023, s. 10.]
Form 22 — Trial Readiness Statement
Form 24 — Warrant for Arrest After Subpoena
Form 25 — Release from Custody
Form 26 — Request to File an Agreement [en. B.C. Reg. 214/2023, s. 10.]
Form 27 — Request to File a Determination of Parenting Coordinator
Form 28 — Request to File an Order
Form 29 — Application About Enforcement [en. B.C. Reg. 302/2021, Sch. 3.]
Form 30 — Application for Garnishment, Summons or Warrant
Form 31 — Summons — General [en. B.C. Reg. 302/2021, Sch. 3.]
Form 32 — Warrant for Arrest [en. B.C. Reg. 302/2021, Sch. 3.]
Form 33 — Summons to a Default Hearing [en. B.C. Reg. 302/2021, Sch. 3.]
Form 34 — Summons to a Committal Hearing [en. B.C. Reg. 302/2021, Sch. 3.]
Form 35 — Application for Order Under the Family Maintenance Enforcement Act [en. B.C. Reg. 302/2021, Sch. 3.]
Form 36 — Recognizance — Family Maintenance Enforcement Act [en. B.C. Reg. 302/2021, Sch. 3.]
Form 37 — Restraining Order — Family Maintenance Enforcement Act [en. B.C. Reg. 302/2021, Sch. 3.]
Form 38 — Order for Imprisonment
Form 39 — Request for Scheduling
Form 40 — Notice of Lawyer for Child [en. B.C. Reg. 126/2021, Sch. 2.]
Form 41 — Notice of Removal of Lawyer for Child [en. B.C. Reg. 126/2021, Sch. 2.]
Form 42 — Notice of Lawyer for Party
Form 43 — Notice of Removal of Lawyer for Party
Form 44 — Order — General [en. B.C. Reg. 302/2021, Sch. 3.]
Form 46 — Notice of Address Change
Form 47 — Notice by Advertisement
Form 48 — Affidavit of Personal Service
Form 49 — Affidavit of Personal Service of Protection Order
Form 50 — Notice of Discontinuance
Form 51 — Electronic Filing Statement
Form 52 — Fax Filing Cover Page — Provincial Court Family
Appendix, Form 10 BEFORE re-enacted by BC Reg 219/2023, effective November 15, 2023.
Form 10 — Application for Case Management Order [en. B.C. Reg. 302/2021, Sch. 3.]
Appendix, Form 11 BEFORE re-enacted by BC Reg 219/2023, effective November 15, 2023.
Form 11 — Application for Case Management Order Without Notice or Attendance [en. B.C. Reg. 302/2021, Sch. 3.]
