REGINA — The Government of Saskatchewan has announced it is extending mandatory early family dispute resolution for family law issues province-wide as July 1.
According to the province’s news release, mandatory, early family dispute resolution is one of the government’s ongoing initiatives to increase access to justice services, while providing additional supports to families. Options include collaborative law services, family law arbitration, family mediation and parent co-ordination.
The benefits cited by the province include reducing conflict, promoting co-operation and communication between parties, alleviating pressures on courts and improving the overall family law experience within the justice system.
“Mandatory dispute resolution empowers families to address issues before they go to court,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Bronwyn Eyre said in a statement. “This program, implemented as a pilot in Prince Albert in 2020 and Regina in 2021, has been effective in reducing the financial and emotional impacts of separation and divorce on families and their children.”
A list of recognized service providers can be found at www.saskatchewan.ca/earlyfamilyresolution.
