Guide for self-represented litigants lists steps to trial, reminders for resolution counsel meeting
In an effort to promote efficient and fair family law proceedings, the Alberta Court of King’s Bench released a guide it developed to help self-represented litigants prepare litigation plan orders for listing the steps and deadlines leading up to trial.
The guide, available on the court’s family-focused protocol webpage, lists the definitions for relevant terms, such as mandatory intake triage conferences, settlement conferences, and streamlined trials.
The guide then explains that a trial may be necessary if parties cannot agree on how to resolve their issues.
If at least one party has counsel, they can agree on the litigation steps leading up to trial. If not, a court justice or resolution counsel can assist with the litigation steps, which they will then formalize into a litigation plan order (family).
The guide then lists and explains the usual litigation steps prior to trial.
Litigation steps
- Identify the issues for the court’s determination
- Complete the necessary pleadings
- Disclose information in accordance with the appropriate processes
- Exchange witness lists, including the names of proposed expert witnesses
- Trade brief summaries of the witness evidence
- Exchange expert reports, if any
- Address potential interim or interlocutory applications, as permitted by the court
- Participate in the alternative dispute resolution process
- Set the trial date
- Address the other pre-trial requirements, such as witness lists, expert witnesses, witness statements, and the pertinent deadlines
- Prepare the agreed statement of facts
- Prepare the agreed exhibit book
- Confirm the trial date set
- Schedule the pre-trial conference, as directed by the court
Reminders for resolution counsel meeting
The guide for drafting litigation plan orders in family cases also provides reminders for litigants who are about to prepare such orders with the help of resolution counsel. Specifically, the guide encourages litigants to:
- Know their trial availability
- Identify the issues they want to put forward
- Know and confirm the availability of potential witnesses and experts
- Review their documents and records
- Understand the approximate trial length
- Prepare to discuss expected delays or special circumstances
- Look into possible conflicts that may prevent a judge from hearing the trial
- Be aware of expected trial expenses and possible cost awards
- Consider whether a streamlined trial might be appropriate
- Review the template for a litigation plan order for family matters
The court noted that the guide does not contain any legal advice.
Court of King’s Bench of Alberta’s other family law updates
Here are some other announcements from the Alberta Court of King’s Bench relating to family law.
Last December, the court published a notice to the profession and the public addressing its new family-focused protocol and other new processes aimed at introducing a resolution-oriented and streamlined approach to family matters, effective last Jan. 2.
In August 2025, the court announced that King’s Bench Operations would launch a pilot project introducing a three-strike rule for desk divorce packages submitted by counsel and agents as of Sept. 1, 2025.
Enjoy this story? Read the latest family law news on the main page!
