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Legal Update: Alberta King’s Bench Introduces the New Family Focused Protocol (FFP)

  • Writer: kathyzhang8
    kathyzhang8
  • Oct 7
  • 3 min read

On September 22, 2025, the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta held a town hall with members of the bar to introduce the upcoming Family Focused Protocol (FFP). This new framework will take effect in January 2026, aiming to reduce conflict and delay in family litigation and to better protect the interests of children. 


1. Background and Objectives 


  • Why change? Traditional family law litigation often becomes lengthy and adversarial, causing significant long-term harm to families, especially children. 

  • Core objectives: Simplify the family law process, strengthen pre-court requirements, and promote resolution-oriented procedures to achieve faster and fairer outcomes. 


2. Key Features of the FFP 


1) Process “Swim Lanes” 


  • Lane 1 (Regular Cases): Covers the full process from filing to trial. 

  • Lane 2 (Desk Duty Justice): Handles triage matters such as waiver or deferral requests. 

  • Lane 3 (Urgent Cases): Provides an expedited path for urgent family applications requiring immediate attention. 

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2) Pre-Court Mandatory Requirements (MRs) 


Before accessing court services, parties must meet several mandatory requirements (with exceptions for urgent matters): 

  1. Parenting After Separation (PAS): Parties seeking parenting relief must complete this online course within the last 2 years. 

  2. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): Parties must participate in an ADR process on the disputed issues within the last 6 months. 

    Financial Disclosure: Full financial disclosure, including Cunningham/Sweezy standards, must be served. 

  3. Self-Represented Litigants: Must meet with a Family Court Counsellor (FCC) before proceeding. 


3) Mandatory Intake Conference (MIT) 


  • Once requirements are met and reviewed by a Case Management Officer (CMO), the matter proceeds to an MIT Conference. 

  • The MIT Justice will remain assigned to the case through resolution and trial. 

  • At this stage, the Justice may mediate, issue interim relief, make procedural orders, or move the case forward to settlement conference or trial preparation. 


4) Further Case Management and Settlement 


  • Case Conferences: Additional interim relief is discouraged, and applications should be handled through the assigned Justice. 

  • Settlement Conferences: May be binding (pilot in Grande Prairie) or non-binding. Parties must sign a binding settlement agreement if intended to be final. 

  • Litigation Plan & Streamlined Trials: If settlement fails, cases may be referred to Resolution Counsel to prepare a litigation plan, ensuring trial (or streamlined trial) within 18 months. 


5) Special Considerations 


  • Excluded Proceedings: Protection orders, surrogacy orders, appeals, international child abduction, and interjurisdictional support are outside the FFP. 

  • Child’s Voice: Guidelines are being developed to allow judicial interviews of children in appropriate cases. 

  • Child’s Counsel: With party consent, Legal Aid may appoint counsel for children, usually within 30 days. 


3. Significance of the FFP 


  • Efficiency: Provides a structured and consistent framework, reducing delays in family cases. 

  • Family-Centered Approach: Prioritizes the best interests of children and minimizes conflict. 

  • Judicial Resource Management: Improves coordination between judges, case managers, and resolution counsel to streamline proceedings. 


4. Looking Ahead 


The Family Focused Protocol represents a major shift in Alberta’s family justice system. Beginning in January 2026, a roster of dedicated justices and case management officers will oversee cases under this new framework. Lawyers, litigants, and ADR professionals will need to adapt to the new system and its requirements. 


⚖️ Jade Sunrise Law is committed to keeping our clients informed of key developments in Alberta family law and to providing professional legal services to protect your rights under the new framework. 


📌 Disclaimer: The above is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For legal advice tailored to your situation, please consult a qualified lawyer. 



 
 
 

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