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Alberta's New Family Focused Protocol: Why Mediation Is Now Mandatory Before Court (2026 Guide)
Short answer: As of January 2, 2026, Alberta's Court of King's Bench requires most separating or divorcing couples to complete Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) such as mediation before they can bring a contested family law matter to court. This new process is called the Family Focused Protocol (FFP), and it fundamentally changes how divorce, parenting, and property disputes move through the Alberta court system.
If you're separating in Calgary or anywhere else in Alberta, this guide explains exactly what the FFP requires, what happens if you skip a step, and why starting with mediation is now the fastest and most practical way to move your case forward.
TL;DR — Key Takeaways
FairPlay Mediation helps Calgary families complete the ADR requirement quickly, affordably, and with proper documentation for the court. Book a free consultation. |
What Is the Family Focused Protocol (FFP)?
The Family Focused Protocol is a new court procedure introduced by Alberta's Court of King's Bench to make family law cases more resolution-focused and less adversarial. Instead of couples going straight to a courtroom to fight out their divorce, the FFP requires them to first complete a set of structured steps designed to encourage settlement outside of court.
The court introduced this change because the traditional adversarial court process where each side treats the other as an opponent was proving slow, expensive, and hard on children. The FFP applies specifically to the Court of King's Bench (not the Court of Justice, Alberta's lower court) and covers divorce applications, parenting disputes, child support, spousal support, and property division claims filed on or after January 2, 2026.
It also fully replaced Family Docket Court in Edmonton and Calgary, which stopped operating on December 19, 2025.
The 4 Mandatory Requirements Before You Can Access Court
Before the Court of King's Bench will accept most contested family law filings, you need to complete four mandatory steps. Missing any of them can get your application rejected, delayed, or sent back for correction.
- Complete the Parenting After Separation (PAS) Course
If children under 18 are involved, at least one parent must complete this free-to-low-cost government program (roughly $30 for the standard six-hour course) and provide a certificate dated within the last two years. It's designed to help parents understand how separation affects kids.
- Attempt Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Within the Past 6 Months
This is the requirement that affects the most people — and the one where divorce mediation comes in directly. You must attempt mediation, collaborative law, or a settlement meeting on the issues in dispute within six months of filing. You'll need to provide written certification of the attempt, including dates, the type of ADR used, and — if the matter wasn't resolved — the reasons why.
- Exchange Full Financial Disclosure
Both parties must exchange complete, up-to-date financial disclosure. This step strengthens existing obligations under Alberta's Family Property Act and helps prevent delays caused by missing or incomplete paperwork later in the process.
- Meet With a Family Court Counsellor (Self-Represented Parties)
If you don't have a lawyer, you're required to meet with a Family Court Counsellor, who helps you understand the process, organize your documents, and prepare for the steps ahead.
Are There Exceptions to the Mandatory ADR Requirement?
Yes — but they're limited. The court can grant a waiver from the ADR requirement in specific circumstances, including:
- A documented history of family violence, coercion, or a severe power imbalance between the parties
- Situations where ADR resources are genuinely inaccessible in your region
- Urgent matters, such as immediate risk of harm or a child being removed from the jurisdiction
Outside of these situations, courts expect both parties to make a genuine, good-faith attempt at resolution before a contested application will be accepted. Attending ADR without real engagement or proper disclosure generally won't satisfy the requirement.
The 3 Filing Streams Under the FFP
Once your mandatory requirements are complete, your matter is directed into one of three streams:
Regular Family Process — the standard route for most contested matters. It begins with a Mandatory Intake Triage (MIT) Conference, where an assigned Justice reviews your case and interim needs. That same Justice then stays with your family through to a Settlement Conference and, if needed, trial.
Desk Process — for non-urgent, uncontested matters like joint divorces or consent orders. These are handled entirely through written submissions, with no hearing required.
Urgent Process — reserved for emergencies involving safety risks, family violence, or the immediate risk of a child being taken out of the jurisdiction. Mandatory requirements aren't needed before requesting an urgent hearing.
How Long Does the New Process Take?
A central goal of the FFP is predictability. Cases entering the Regular Family Process are generally expected to resolve within an 18-month cap, and having a single Justice assigned to your case from intake through resolution is meant to cut down on the delays and inconsistency that came with appearing before a different judge at every stage.
Uncontested matters where both spouses complete their requirements and reach agreement through ADR tend to move even faster — often within four to six months.
What Happens If You Skip Mediation?
Under the FFP, mediation (or another form of ADR) generally isn't optional anymore. If you file a contested application without completing this requirement, the court can:
- Reject or delay your filing until the requirement is met
- Order specific ADR attendance before proceeding
- Impose cost consequences on a party who refuses to participate in good faith
If your ex-partner refuses to engage in mediation, you can document the refusal and request the court's intervention but the safest and fastest path is still to start the process yourself. That's where FairPlay Mediation comes in.
Why This Makes Mediation More Valuable Than Ever
Before the FFP, mediation was simply the smarter option for most families — faster, cheaper, and less stressful than litigation. Now, for most contested matters, it's the mandatory first step. That changes the calculation for Calgary families in an important way: instead of asking "should we try mediation?", the real question has become "who do we mediate with, and how fast can we get it done properly?"
At FairPlay Mediation, we help Calgary and Alberta families complete their ADR requirement the right way with proper documentation the court will accept, a clear flat-fee cost (see our Pricing page, and full details in our guide to how much divorce mediation costs in Alberta), and a process built around resolution, not conflict. You can see exactly how our sessions work on our Our Process page.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Family Focused Protocol
When did the Family Focused Protocol take effect?
The FFP took effect January 2, 2026, in Alberta's Court of King's Bench.
Does the FFP apply to my case if I filed before January 2, 2026?
Generally, cases filed before that date continue under the previous process unless both parties opt into the new FFP framework voluntarily. New filings after January 2, 2026 fall under the FFP by default.
Is mediation legally required before I can go to court in Alberta?
For most contested family law matters at the Court of King's Bench, yes — you must attempt ADR, such as mediation, within six months before filing, unless your situation qualifies for a waiver or falls under the Urgent Process.
What counts as ADR under the FFP?
Private mediation with a qualified family mediator, a collaborative family law process, or a genuine settlement meeting between the parties can all satisfy the ADR requirement, provided they're properly documented.
Does the Family Focused Protocol apply to the Court of Justice too?
No. As of this writing, the FFP applies only to the Court of King's Bench. The Court of Justice, which handles some parenting time, child support, and spousal support matters, has not adopted these changes, though similar updates may follow.
How does FairPlay Mediation help with the new FFP requirements?
FairPlay Mediation provides properly documented mediation sessions that satisfy the FFP's ADR requirement, at a transparent flat fee. We help you move through this step efficiently so you can either resolve your matter fully outside of court or move forward with your court filing without delay. Book your free consultation to get started.
Start Your Mandatory Mediation Step the Right Way
Whether you're just starting your separation or already navigating a court filing under the new rules, completing your ADR requirement with an experienced, ADRIC-qualified mediator gives you the best chance of resolving things fully - without ever needing a courtroom.
| Ready to complete your ADR requirement?
Book a free, no-obligation consultation with FairPlay Mediation: Schedule a Free Consultation | Call or text 587-893-2768 |
Related reading: How Much Does Divorce Mediation Cost in Alberta? • Our Process • FAQs • About Justin Hendriks
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes and reflects publicly available information about Alberta's Family Focused Protocol as of 2026. It is not legal advice. For guidance specific to your situation, consult a family lawyer or contact the Alberta Court of King's Bench directly.
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