What Happens at a Family Management Conference in BC Provincial Court?

A Family Management Conference (FMC) is an informal, time-limited process used to identify issues, explore resolution and move a Provincial Court family case forward. Meaningful interim, consent and case-management orders can be made.

What the court can deal with

Under Part 4 of the Rules, a judge or family justice manager can make case-management orders to prepare the file for the next step. Rule 50 permits interim orders including parenting responsibilities, parenting time, child support, contact, guardianship, spousal support and property division concerning a companion animal. Consent orders are also available within the limits set by the Rules.

What information can be considered

Rule 46 permits consideration of information in the application, reply and reply to counter application, financial-statement evidence, oral evidence under oath or affirmation, affidavit evidence and submissions.

Prepare around the issues

Read your filed material again. Know what is agreed, what remains disputed, and what temporary or procedural orders you are asking for. If support is in issue, have the required financial information current and organized.

Attendance matters

Rule 43 requires the parties to attend when an FMC is scheduled. Rule 45 permits the FMC to proceed without a party who did not file a reply or does not attend.

Registry requirements can differ

As of May 1, 2026, the Provincial Court Family Rules distinguish early resolution registries listed in Appendix 1 from other registries where the parenting education program requirements in Part 7 may apply. The former family justice registry category was repealed. Transitional exception: Rules 199–200 preserve specified former family justice registry procedures for cases started in Vancouver (Robson Square), Kelowna or Nanaimo while those earlier rules applied. Before booking an FMC, confirm the relevant requirements and transitional status with the registry.

The purpose is to move the case forward

An FMC may resolve some issues, produce temporary or consent orders, set procedural directions or move the case toward another conference, hearing or trial step.