What is a judicial case conference in a British Columbia Supreme Court family case?

This answer covers the law of British Columbia.

In a British Columbia Supreme Court family case, the meeting you have been told to attend is most likely a judicial case conference, which is the name the Supreme Court Family Rules use. If your paperwork uses different wording, check it against the court's notice.

At the conference, the court may identify issues, make consent orders, mediate disputed issues, direct a party to the Parenting after Separation program, set timelines for documents and discovery, reserve a trial date and set a trial management conference. The judge may also give a non-binding opinion on the probable outcome without hearing witnesses. Unless a conference has been held, a party must not serve a notice of application or supporting affidavit.

A conference may be requested at any time. The notice in Form F19 must be served at least 30 days before it, and the original Form F8 must be filed at least 7 days before. To prepare, gather your income and expense records and write down the issues you want raised. Who attends and what is decided depend on your case, so confirm details with a lawyer.