BC Provincial Court

Family Management Conference in BC: what it actually is

For many Family Law Act applications in Provincial Court, the first court appearance is a Family Management Conference (FMC). It is designed to identify issues, stabilize the case and decide how it should move forward.

Last reviewed · Sep. 15, 2026

It is not simply a mini-trial

The Provincial Court describes an FMC as a meeting with the parties and a judge to identify and try to resolve issues before trial. It is less formal than a trial and can be used to get the file organized, deal with immediate issues and decide what steps are needed next.

What the judge can do

The Rules give substantial case-management powers at an FMC. Depending on the issue and who is presiding, the court can make case-management directions, require outstanding procedural steps, make some interim orders, make consent orders and address how the case will proceed.

Interim orders can include parenting responsibilities, parenting time, child support, contact, guardianship and spousal support. That does not mean every FMC will result in an interim order; it means the Rules allow the court to make one in an appropriate case.

What information can be considered?

The Rules allow the court to consider information in the application, reply and counter-application materials, a Financial Statement, oral evidence under oath or affirmation, affidavit evidence and submissions. What you actually need depends on the issues before the court.

What should a self-represented person prepare?

Know the exact orders or short-term directions you are asking for.
Bring the filed application/reply and any relevant existing orders or agreements.
Have current support/financial information if support is in issue.
Be ready to explain what is agreed, what is not agreed, and what needs to happen before the next stage.
Keep the focus on the legal issues rather than trying to tell the entire history of the relationship.

What can happen afterward?

The matter might resolve in whole or in part, an interim order might be made, deadlines or disclosure directions may be set, or the case may be directed toward another conference, hearing or trial-preparation step. An FMC is often the point where a file stops being “a stack of forms” and becomes a managed court case.

When legal advice is especially useful: if you are asking for an important interim parenting/support order, responding to a serious allegation, or are unsure what evidence the court needs, even limited advice before the FMC can be valuable.