We Do It Differently
For over 25 years, we've been dedicated to enhancing the delivery of legal services for families. As a result we're proud to offer these innovative solutions:
- We provide flat fee services where possible to help you manage your legal budget.
- We offer pay-as-you-go legal coaching services, our most popular innovation in 25 years, to fit within your legal budget.
- Best of all, no retainer required!
Lisa Teryl
Senior Legal Counsel
Book Now
Our Halifax judicial settlement conference lawyers can see you within the week. Your first meeting can be by video, in person or by telephone.
Select your booking preference:
by phone (902-706-5030)
or through our on-line calendar
Our Services In Judicial Settlement Conferences
The purpose of a family law judicial court settlement conference is to provide a structured setting where a judge helps both parties negotiate and potentially resolve their family law disputes without the need for a full trial. During the conference, the judge will review the case, identify key issues, and offer suggestions for settlement. The goal is to facilitate an agreement that is acceptable to both parties and can avoid the time, cost, and emotional strain of a trial.
We break the Judicial Settlement Conference process down into two flat fee packages and “pay-as-you-go” additional time. This combination of fees allows those who might not need as much time in certain areas to save on their fees. There is no retainer required for the pay-as-you-go services. You simply book and pay for your appointments as needed.
- The Opening Phase of the court settlement conference flat fee includes preparing the initiating court documents and filing them with the court.
- The opposing party will be served with the court documents and this will conclude the first phase.
The cost of the above flat fee service is $2800 plus $150 admin fee, HST and disbursements. Disbursements include fees such as couriers, service of documents to the opposing party, and other related fees.
- Attendance at one Settlement Conference (half day)
The cost of the above flat fee service is $2800 plus $150 admin fee, HST and disbursements.
- Administrative Conferences: If you wish an Articled Clerk to attend the administrative conference with you as your assistant. (This conference is required to schedule the Settlement conference.)
- Review Opposing Party’s Materials: These are materials received from the opposing party/counsel that you may wish the lawyer to review with you (aside from the brief which is included in the flat fee).
- Corresponding with Other Parties: This may involve, but is not limited to, reviewing correspondence from the other party or their legal representative and drafting a response on your behalf and under your signature.
- Disclosure: Understanding which disclosure from either party may be necessary before we can move forward with the settlement conference.
- Offer to Settle: Legal coaching to prepare a settlement offer before the settlement conference, including drafting any necessary counteroffers.
- Negotiations: legal coaches can attend negotion sessions with opposing counsel and the parties to resolve outstanding issues in an effort to reach a settlement without needing court intervention.
- Affidavits: preparation of affidavits;
- Motions: preparation of court motion documents for interim hearings)
- Copy/collating of Materials: If you wish for our firm to prepare the packages needed by the court on your behalf outside of your appointment time
- Court orders: Any work involved in drafting the court order that follows the settlement conference.
- Pay-as-you-go additional work with Senior Counsel $550 + 4% admin fee
- Pay-as-you-go additional work with associate lawyer $475 + 4% admin fee
For a family law judicial court settlement conference, you should prepare by gathering and organizing relevant documents, such as financial statements, custody evaluations, and any other evidence pertinent to your case. It’s also helpful to prepare a list of your priorities and potential settlement options.
The outcome of a family law judicial court settlement conference is legally binding if both of the parties agree to the terms of the settlement. If the parties can not reach a settlement, the case may proceed to a trial or a second settlement conference can be held. The judge’s role in the settlement conference is to offer guidance and facilitate a settlement. They can not order anything that is contested.
Call today and we will help you assess your situation and find a program that works best for you. For a list of our other family law services, visit our family law page.
Our Testimonials
Lisa is extremely knowledgeable, professional and personable. She made the entire process as painless as possible and I felt very supported throughout. I would highly recommend Lisa’s services.
Lisa is a dedicated professional who cares about her clients needs and her friendly assistant Shannon keeps everyone on the same page. Because of the exceptional service and reasonable fee’s, I can only say to recommend her firm for anyone needing family law experts period!
Respectful, thorough and professional... answered all questions at length and provided a comfortable 'safe' environment to do so!
