Judicial Case Conferences in Supreme Court

A Judicial Case Conference (JCC) is a confidential meeting between you, the other party, and a judge or master; it usually has to take place before you can apply for any defended (contested) orders from the Supreme Court, including support, custody, guardianship, or access orders. The purpose of the meeting is to:

• clearly identify which issues need to be decided;
• review different ways to resolve these issues (such as settlement conferences and mediation);
• consider which other family justice services might help (such as family justice counsellors, Parenting After Separation courses, and child support clerks); and
• plan out how the case will unfold (for example, the timing of court hearings and exchanges of information).

To find out how to schedule a JCC, see our self-help guide How to deal with a Judicial Case Conference.

Do I have to attend?

You don't have to attend a JCC if your application is:

• made with the other party's agreement (by consent);
• made without notice to the other party;
• for an order that says spouses "have no reasonable prospect of reconciliation";
• asking to change a final order (also known as a "variation" application); or
• for an order that stops a spouse from dealing with property (selling, mortgaging, etc.) to which the other spouse may have a claim.

Can I ask to be excused?

Yes. You can ask the court to excuse you from the requirement if:

• your family matter is urgent and must be resolved quickly;
• it's too soon to have a JCC;
• it would be unfair, inappropriate, or unmanageable to have a JCC;
• it could be dangerous to your health or safety to delay your application or to require a JCC; or
• the judge or master decides it's appropriate to excuse you.

What should I do if it'll hurt my case to wait for the JCC?

In some cases, you can get a court order allowing you to have your application heard before attending the JCC — if you're applying for a non-final order or a change order.

Tip: For more information on the JCC process (including how to apply to be excused from it), see our self-help guide How to deal with a Judicial Case Conference.