BC family court words, explained simply
Court websites and forms use words that may be completely new the first time you see them. This page explains the common ones in normal language.
Application
A formal request asking the court to make an order. The form tells the court what you are asking for and usually why.
Party
A person directly involved in the court case. In a two-person family case, each person is usually called a party.
Court registry
The court office that receives and processes court documents. Registry staff can explain filing procedure, but they cannot tell you what legal position to take.
File / filing
Giving a document to the court registry so it becomes part of the court file. Filing a document is different from giving it to the other person.
Serve / service
Formally giving court documents to another person in a way allowed by the court rules. Different documents can have different service requirements.
Notice
Advance warning that a court request or hearing is happening. Some applications require a certain amount of notice; a judge may allow shorter or no notice only in situations permitted by the rules.
Affidavit
Written evidence that you swear or affirm is true in front of a commissioner for taking affidavits. Do not sign the sworn section before the commissioner tells you to.
Exhibit
A document, photo, screenshot, receipt, message or other item attached to an affidavit because it supports a fact mentioned in the affidavit.
Swear / affirm
Formally promise that the contents of an affidavit are true. Swearing uses an oath; affirming is the non-religious alternative. Both have the same legal effect.
Commissioner for taking affidavits
A person authorized to witness an affidavit being sworn or affirmed. Lawyers and notaries are commissioners, and Provincial Court registry staff who are commissioners can swear or affirm court affidavits for free.
Evidence
Information a judge is allowed to consider when deciding facts. Evidence can include testimony, affidavits and relevant documents.
Disclosure
Giving required information or documents to the other party or the court. In support cases this often includes financial information.
Court appearance / hearing
A scheduled time when the case comes before a judge. Some appearances are short and focused; a trial is much more structured.
Family Management Conference (FMC)
A court appearance used to manage a family case, narrow issues and decide certain temporary or procedural matters. It is not automatically a trial.
Case management
Procedural decisions about how the case should move forward — for example deadlines, how documents are exchanged, or what needs to happen before the next hearing.
Interim order
A temporary “for now” court order. It stays in effect until it is changed, suspended, replaced or the case reaches a later result.
Final order
An order intended to finally decide an issue in the case, usually after agreement or a trial. Some final orders can still be appealed or later changed if the law allows.
Consent order
A court order the parties agree to and ask the court to make. Agreement does not automatically make every proposed term acceptable; the court still has a role.
Cross-examination
Questions asked of another person who has given evidence. It is common at trials and can occur in some other hearings, but it does not happen at every court appearance.
Enforcement
Asking the court to deal with an existing order not being followed. Enforcement is different from asking the court for a brand-new order.
Early resolution
Free steps required before some regular Provincial Court family applications in designated registries. They can include a needs assessment, Parenting After Separation and dispute resolution.
Needs assessment
A private meeting with a Family Justice Counsellor to talk about the family-law issues, safety concerns and what services or next steps may help.
Parenting After Separation (PAS)
A free BC parenting course about separation and parenting. It may be required as part of early resolution.
Dispute resolution
A process that tries to help people resolve some or all issues without a judge deciding them. It can include mediation or other assisted negotiation.
Without notice
Asking the court to consider something before the other person is told. This is not the normal process and is only available when the rules and circumstances allow it.
Trial
The formal hearing where evidence is presented, witnesses may be questioned and cross-examined, and the judge decides issues that the parties have not resolved.