November 3rd, 2026

09:30AM – 10:00AM

Registration

10:10 AM – 10:30AM

The National Voice: Resources and Support for Self-Represented Litigants

Discover how the National Self-Represented Litigants Project (NSRLP) has become a national leader in improving access to justice for self-represented litigants through groundbreaking research, practical resources, and advocacy for meaningful change. Learn about the tools and resources the NSRLP has developed, the organizations and services it recommends, and how its research has helped advance innovations in legal practice, including limited scope (unbundled) legal services and legal coaching, making professional legal assistance more accessible and affordable for self-represented litigants.

Speaker: Jennifer Leitch

10:30 AM – 11:00AM

Mastering Conferences: What Really Happens at Conferences

Family court conferences are one of the most important parts of the litigation process, yet they are often misunderstood by self-represented litigants. This session will take you inside every stage of the conference process, explaining the purpose of each conference, how they actually unfold in the courtroom, and the types of orders that can and cannot be made. Learn the practical ins and outs of preparing conference briefs, and presenting your position effectively. You’ll also gain a clear understanding of the differences between conferences and motions, including why conference briefs are not sworn evidence and how that affects the issues a judge can decide. Learn how to avoid the common pitfalls so you can approach every conference with confidence.

Speaker: Kulbir K. Rahal Vaid

11:05 AM – 11:40AM

The Motion Playbook: From Urgency to Orders

Motions can have a significant impact on the direction of your family law case. This session will provide a practical guide to bringing or responding to a motion, including determining whether a motion is necessary, when a matter may be considered urgent, and when a motion without notice (ex parte) may be appropriate. Learn how to organize your evidence, draft effective affidavits and factums, and present your arguments clearly in court. We’ll also cover what happens after the motion, including endorsements, drafting and obtaining the formal order, and understanding exactly what the court has ordered.

Speaker: Deleta Grande

11:45 AM – 12:25PM

Financial Disclosure: From Required to Ridiculous

Explore the spectrum of financial disclosure in Family Law: What is legally required, what you should provide strategically, what you should ask for and what you should expect will be asked of you. We will consider how to separate necessary and relevant disclosure from requests that are disproportionate and possibly abusive, with practical guidance on how to draw the line.

Speaker: Shmuel Stern

12:30 PM – 1:00PM

Build It Right: Creating a Strong Separation Agreement

A separation agreement can shape your financial future, parenting arrangements, and legal rights for years to come. Learn what provisions should be considered, which clauses are essential, and how the terms of an agreement should be tailored to your family’s unique circumstances. This session will explore common pitfalls, important protections, and practical drafting considerations to help you understand what makes a strong, comprehensive separation agreement and why every clause matters.

Speaker: Marcy Segal

1:00 PM – 2:00PM

Lunch Time / Exhibit Booth (In Person only)

2:00 PM – 2:40PM

Follow the Money: Understanding Business Finances in Family Law

Understand what financial records can reveal in a family law case. This session explores forensic accounting and business valuation, covering financial disclosure, guideline income, business interests, and how to recognize potential financial irregularities. Learn how financial experts analyze complex business records and how these findings can influence support, equalization, and other financial issues in family law.

Speaker: Jennifer Lynch

2:45 PM – 3:15PM

When Court Orders Aren’t Followed: Understanding Your Options

Explore what options may be available when a court order is not being followed and how the appropriate response can depend on whether the order is temporary or final. Learn about enforcement options, when contempt may be appropriate, when seeking a change to a temporary order may be the better course, and when a Motion to Change is required for a final order. Understand the practical considerations that can help self-represented litigants determine the appropriate next step when an existing court order is no longer working or is not being followed.

Speaker: Danielle Sawh

3:20 PM – 4:00PM

Should I Appeal? Legal Research and Understanding Your Options

Learn the basics of legal research and how to use case law effectively in family court. This session will cover how to search CanLII, find relevant decisions, identify useful precedents, and understand how judges apply prior cases. You’ll then learn how those research skills apply to appeals, including how to determine whether a decision is appealable, identify potential grounds of appeal, understand standards of review, and distinguish an appealable error from simply disagreeing with the outcome. Most importantly, you’ll gain practical tools to help assess when an appeal may be worth pursuing and when it may not be.

Speaker: Vanessa Lam

4:05 PM – 4:30PM

The Art of Settlement: Using Offers to Settle to Avoid Trial

An effective Offer to Settle can be one of the most powerful tools in family law. Learn when and how to prepare strategic Offers to Settle, including why they should be served before a Settlement Conference, how they can encourage meaningful negotiations, and how they may significantly impact costs if your matter proceeds to trial. This session will also explain what happens after an offer is accepted, including how it is converted into Minutes of Settlement and ultimately a Consent Order, bringing your court case to a conclusion without the time, expense, and uncertainty of a trial.

Speaker: Vanessa Tynes

4:35 PM – 5:15PM

Trial Ready: Mastering the Family Courtroom

A successful trial requires more than knowing the law. It requires preparation, confidence, and effective courtroom advocacy. This session will guide you through every stage of a family law trial, including presenting evidence, examining and cross-examining witnesses, courtroom etiquette, making persuasive submissions, and avoiding common mistakes. Develop the practical courtroom skills needed to present your case in an organized, professional, and persuasive manner.

Speaker: Adam Jaffer

5:20 PM – 6:00PM

One Person. One Voice. One Fight for Justice: My Journey Through Family Court

Hear firsthand what it takes to navigate family court without a lawyer. Drawing on her experience representing herself in two family law proceeding, one in Toronto and one in London, Cynthia Meek shares the challenges, strategies, lessons learned, and successes along the way. Despite years of litigation, numerous court appearances, and contested motions, she has never had costs awarded against her. Discover how preparation, persistence, legal research, and understanding court procedures can empower self-represented litigants to stand their ground and advocate effectively for themselves.

Speaker: Cynthia Meek