What a Family Justice Counsellor Does in British Columbia

If you are separating, a Family Justice Centre can feel like an unfamiliar place. You may have heard that a family justice counsellor can help, but not be sure what that person does or how they differ from a lawyer.

This article explains the counsellor's role in plain terms, the services they offer, what it costs, and how they connect to the court process in British Columbia.

This article covers the law of British Columbia.

Who a family justice counsellor is

Under the Family Law Act, the minister can appoint family justice counsellors. They can give information, help with dispute resolution about guardianship, parenting, contact and support, and make referrals.

The Act also counts a family justice counsellor as a family dispute resolution professional, which is one of the people who can help parties try to resolve disputed issues outside court.

The counsellor does not provide legal advice. If you want advice about your own rights or what an agreement means for you, that is a question for a lawyer.

What services they offer

Family justice counsellors help people reach agreements on guardianship, parenting arrangements, contact, and child and spousal support. The services listed by the province include:

• Helping you obtain or change a Provincial Court order.
• Explaining the child support guidelines and the court process.
• Working as accredited mediators.
• Giving short-term emotional support and referrals.
• Sharing information about Parenting After Separation courses.

Family Justice Centres also offer individual needs assessment meetings. These give information about family law, your options and referrals to community services.

Is it free, and do you need to go to court?

Family justice counsellor services are free, and you do not have to start the court process to use them. The province also says early resolution services are free.

This means you can talk to a counsellor early, before anyone has filed anything, to learn your options. Private lawyers and private mediators are separate from these services, and their costs are something to ask about directly.

How the counsellor fits with Provincial Court

In an Early Resolution Registry, each party must take part individually in a needs assessment with a family justice counsellor. Government guidance says you must complete this meeting, and the Parenting After Separation online course if it applies, before filing an Application About a Family Law Matter. You must also complete a consensual dispute resolution session if appropriate.

All Provincial Court registries in the Vancouver Coastal, Vancouver Fraser, Vancouver Island and Interior regions are Early Resolution Registries, and other locations may be designated later. Because this varies by courthouse, check the registry list on the provincial government website.

Some people are exempt from the parenting education program, for example where a matter involves only spousal support or all children are 19 or older. A needs assessor decides on these exemptions.

What to do next

To book, contact your nearest Family Justice Centre or check the provincial government's family justice pages for current contact details. The page on preparing for a meeting is separate, so look for it before you go.

• Write down your main questions, such as parenting time, support or guardianship.
• Gather any existing agreements or court orders.
• Note any safety concerns so the counsellor can take them into account.
• Ask whether you need the Parenting After Separation course.
• Speak to a lawyer if you need advice on your legal rights.

Frequently asked questions