At your protection from harassment case management conference or case conference

What is a protection from harassment case management conference, pre-trial conference or case conference

Protection from Harassment Court

The first court session for a Protection from Harassment Court (PHC) case depends on whether the case is under the simplified or standard proceedings:

• Simplified: case management conference (CMC).
• Standard: pre-trial conference (PTC) (for matters commenced before 1 April 2022) or case conference (CC) (for matters commenced on or after 1 April 2022).

A CMC, PTC or CC is a court session in which a deputy registrar will attempt to resolve the dispute between both parties involved in the case.

The CMC, PTC or CC is usually scheduled 4 weeks after the application is filed.

Family Court

The case conference (“CC”) is a court session whereby a judicial officer (either a  Judge or an assistant registrar of the Family Court) will manage the case , discuss the issues and explore the possibility of reaching a settlement with the parties.

The judicial officer may also refer the parties to counselling or mediation (if appropriate). If parties are not able to resolve the matter, the judicial officer will utilise the case conference to manage the case including giving directions relating to the preparation of the documents or other evidence by the parties until it is ready for hearing.

The first CC is usually scheduled 3-4 weeks after the application is filed. 

Before the court session

Refer to this checklist on what to prepare before going to court.

During the court session

During the CMC, PTC or CC, all parties involved in the case will meet with a judicial officer to discuss the case.

The judicial officer may facilitate a discussion to give you and the other party an opportunity to resolve your dispute.

Possible outcomes

If a settlement is reached

If parties reach a settlement, the judicial officer may record a consent order to reflect their agreement. The case ends.

If a settlement is not reached

If parties do not reach a settlement during the CMC, PTC or CC, the court may refer the case for mediation or counselling (if appropriate), to help parties explore a settlement without going for trial.

What happens next depends on the outcomes of mediation or counselling:

• If a settlement is reached, the case will conclude.
• If a settlement is not reached, the parties will be given another CMC, PTC or CC date. The case may then be scheduled for a hearing, which both parties must attend.
  • Before the hearing, the judicial officer may instruct you on what to do to prepare the case for a hearing. This may include submitting evidence related to the case. Find out the guidelines you need to follow to prepare and submit evidence.

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