Other Training & Workshops

Hybrid Event
– Zoom or in person, Queen’s University, Jeffrey Hall, Rm 126
48 University Avenue (there will be signs on Law School Door)
Queen’s University issituated on traditional Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee Territory
For Lawyers, Mediators, Social Workers, Psychologists, interested professionals and students

– Justice Ken Pedlar, Superior Court of Justice (retired)
– Ms. Trish Crowe, Social Worker, Kingston
– Vince Ramsay, Family Lawyer, Kingston
– Moderator: Karla McGrath, Queen’s Family Law Clinic

• Origins of the Litigation Process and Its Application to Family Law
• Why Family Litigation Harms Children (i.e. “Getting Best Interests of the
Child” Right)
• The Responsibilities of Lawyers in Family Litigation (Divorce Act, s. 7.7)
• Changing Professional Culture and Law Reform to Reduce Litigation Harm
to Children
Opportunity for questions & comments (whether attending in person or on Zoom).

For lawyers, this program is eligible for 1.5 hours Substantive Hours toward CPD requirements.
Admission is without charge, but those who want to attend are required to register at
https://queenslaw.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIud-murDwoHN0-BXbOnHKCKVfeUZcdTqo5

All who are registered may attend via Zoom or in person. In the event that health conditions
require, this program may be shifted to all Zoom. Those who are registered will be notified.
It is hoped that after the end of the program, there will be a social gathering at the Grad Club (cash
bar), a gradual return to pre-pandemic event

For Lawyers, Mediators, Social Workers, Psychologists, interested professionals and students
– Why bring a motion for “urgent relief”?
– What constitutes a “situation of urgency or hardship” under Rule 14(4.2)?
– Bringing a motion for urgent relief – what is needed?
– Urgent relief without notice R. 14(12)
– Getting an early conference date in Kingston to avoid seeking “urgent relief”
– Urgent relief and self-represented litigants
– Justice Tami Waters, Family Court, East Region (Kingston)
– Ayana Hutchison, Counsel, Family & Children’s Services of Frontenac and Lennox & Addington
– Leanne Wight, Duty Counsel (Ontario Legal Aid), Family Court Kingston
– Beth Ambury, Lawyer of Rorabeck, Sowerby, Theriault LL.P., Kingston

Opportunity for questions & comments. Feel free to send the questions in advance to
kingstonafcco@gmail.com.

For lawyers, this program is eligible for 1.5 hours Substantive Hours toward CPD requirements.

Admission is without charge, but you must be registered to get the Zoom link. Those who want to attend are required to register by sending an email to: kingstonafcco@gmail.com

AFCC Vision: A justice system in which all professionals work collaboratively through education, support & access
to services to achieve the best possible outcome for children & families.

For Lawyers, Mediators, Social Workers, Psychologists, and interested professionals
– How do families and children involved in the justice system benefit from ADR?
– Which cases are not suitable for ADR?
– Family group decision-making
– Collaborative family law
– Child welfare in ADR
– Case study of a Family Group Conference

Chair: Karla McGrath – Queen’s Family Law Clinic
Justice Lene Madsen, Ontario Superior Court (Family Division), Kitchener
Chris Ecclestone, Kingston Family Lawyer, Collaborative Family Law

Child Welfare Scenario
– Vincent Ramsay, Kingston Family Lawyer, Agent for the Office of the Children’s Lawyer
– Bonnie Gagne, Family Group Conferencing Facilitator
– Melannie Cashman, Family and Children’s Services, Rapid Response Team

A fact scenario will be provided to attendees in advance of the panel.
Opportunity for questions & comments. Feel free to send the questions in advance to
kingstonafcco@gmail.com

For lawyers, this program is eligible for 1.5 hours Substantive Hours toward CPD requirements.

Admission is without charge, but you must be registered to get the Zoom link. Those who want to
attend are required to register by sending an email to: kingstonafcco@gmail.com

Zoom Meeting

Hosted by the Kingston workgroup

Queen’s University is situated on traditional Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee Territory

 For Lawyers, Mediators, Social Workers, Psychologists, and interested professionals

• New approaches or just new words?
• Bill 207 (CLRA Reforms) & Bill C-78 (Divorce Act Reform), in force March 1, 2021
• AFCC-O Guide and Template
• Incorporating Plans into Court Orders
• Initial Plans and Review

Speakers

Chair: Ms. Karla McGrath – Queen’s Family Law Clinic

Prof. Nicholas Bala, Faculty of Law, Queen’s Law

Justice Deborah Swartz, Ontario Superior Court (Family, Kingston)

Hilary Warder, Kingston Family Lawyer

Ms. Vicky Visca, Mediation Service

Mitch Fallis, Clinician and Office of the Children’s Lawyer

Opportunity for questions & comments.  Feel free to send the questions in advance to kingstonafcco@gmail.com

AFCC-O is a proud sponsor of this event.

FDRIO’s most ambitious, relevant and affordable conference is taking place virtually on November 16th – the program this year is outstanding!

FDRIO AGM and awards start the day and FMC AGM and awards wrap up the day.

Our keynote, Moya Teklu, will guide you through a dynamic and relevant discussion on anti-racism with a perspective of family law.

The day continues with 3 break-out sessions and participants will individualize this part of the program by choosing topics from four streams: Substantive, Professionalism, Financial and Practice Management. Here are a few of the topics:

 Leading US mediators on evolving practices in mediation
 Recognizing and addressing inherent bias in our practices
 Family law and bankruptcy update
 Managing domestic violence risks in a post-covid practice
 Navigating the range of certified financial professionals to help your clients
 Marketing your practice effectively in 2020
 Advanced tips in mediation, arbitration and parenting coordination from a cross-Canada panel
 Leading researchers and practitioners in hearing the child’s voice
 Top financial professionals in post-covid financial topics and
 Technology tips from experienced practitioners.
 The day closes with a plenary session: a panel will explore the recent trends in FDR complaints.

Visit the FDRIO Conference website for more information and to register.

Learn How to Meet and Interview Children for FDR.

Learn How to Complete the 12 Step VCR.

Add these specialized skills to your practice!

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 12:

1. Parties shall assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own views the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child, the views of the child being given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child.

2. For this purpose, the child shall in particular be provided the opportunity to be heard in any judicial and administrative proceedings affecting the child, either directly, or through a representative or an appropriate body, in a manner consistent with the procedural rules of national law.

As family law professionals, we have a duty to ensure that children’s voices are heard when important decisions are made about their lives. Yet, involving children in family law decision-making can be a complex exercise and must be approached with great sensitivity and care. This training will provide you with the tools and practical skills you need to take on this role.

This course offers advanced skill building for family mediators, child protection mediators, parenting coordinators, family lawyers, counsel for children, social workers, child welfare workers, collaborative child and family consultants, and assessors.

Join us to learn how to meet with children for the purpose of neutral ADR services to bring the child’s voice forward. This is a non-directive and non-evaluative process that is about sharing your observations with the parents and professionals.

You will also learn how to interview children for the purpose of obtaining children’s views and preferences to be able to offer this unique service in family law and child protection cases.

Your trainers: Debra Rodrigues Director of PCCS Mediators & Counsellors, Dr. Daniel Ashbourne, Director of London Family Court Clinic, Dr. Kimberly Harris Assistant Director London Family Court
Clinic, and Carolyn Leach Counsel, Ministry of Children, Community & Social Services

Limited Registration!
Registration and Payment to be made by etransfer to Debra Rodrigues,
drodrigues@pccs.ca
Location: Toronto (TBA)

NOTE: TIMES REFLECTED ARE NOT ACCURATE – CONTACT DEBRA FOR EXACT TIMES

Download Meeting & Interviewing Children Course Flyer Sept 19-21 2010

Download Mtg & Interviewing Children Reg Form Sept 2019