Mission Possible: Responses to Difficult Client Positions

Presented by

AFCC-O

and

York Region Law Association

Presenters

Maxine M. Kerr, Family Law & Mediation, Aurora, AFCC-O Secretary

Dr. Shely Polak, PhD (Social Work), York Region, AFCC-O President

Chair and Presenter

Justice Andrea Himel, Superior Court of Justice, Family Branch (Newmarket)

Technical Support

Vicky Ringuette, Lawyer, Mediator & Coach, Hamilton

Program Description

We will explore the following questions as they relate to difficult client positions:

• How can family lawyers and mediators support clients to move from unreasonable to reasonable positions?
• In the context of child protection matters, how to respond when the Society, the parents and/or kin adopt difficult positions respecting placement and/or access?
• What are the three steps to successful advocacy and dispute resolution? How do we measure success?
• To what extent are the children’s best interests, as well as their views and wishes, relevant to their parents’ positions in the dispute?
• When are social science articles and education materials of assistance?
• How will clients be impacted by the upcoming Divorce Act amendments?
• What is the role of concessions and mandated reasonableness?
• Are there best (or at least better) responses to the following case scenarios:
  • Unmarried co-parents of a baby
  • 60/40 cases – Addressing the elephant in the room (time vs. child support)
  • A request to relocate at the initial application or motion to change stage;
• Covid-19 – Is this the ultimate test of reasonable/unreasonable behaviour?

Lawyers can count 1.5 hours CPD

Cost
Members of AFCC-O Chapter and YRLA: Free
Non-Members: $25