The Court acknowledges the valuable feedback received to date from the public and Bar on the Family Focused Protocol (FFP). Ongoing feedback is encouraged and will assist the Court as it refines FFP processes and instructions.
The Court reminds counsel and parties that some of the procedural orders previously obtained in Family Docket Court – for example, disclosure orders, waiver requests and any other orders obtained by consent – may now be obtained by desk application.
The Court is monitoring statistics for filed Mandatory Intake Triage (MIT) packages. It is noted that a number of applications are being delayed due to the absence of an uploaded Affidavit of Service. We recognize that the requirement for an uploaded Affidavit of Service, when certain documents in the package have already been served, may seem duplicative. However, it is important to re-serve to ensure that the entire package is before the MIT Justice. To promote efficiency, the MIT Justice will rely exclusively on materials uploaded in Justice Digital, including any relevant documents filed prior to January 2, 2026.
Finally, in response to concerns that mandatory alternative dispute resolution (ADR) may be inappropriate in matters involving safety issues, waiver requests may be submitted in such circumstances. The waiver request should set out the specific safety concern and the facts relied on to permit a meaningful assessment. Where there is an urgent need for judicial intervention, the Court’s urgent application process remains available, and materials should clearly state the order sought and why the matter cannot wait for the usual process.