Q: Should I have a lawyer with me for a first Family Case Hearing in Provincial Court?
A: The Provincial Court Family Rules do not require you to attend a family case conference with a lawyer. If you have retained a lawyer to represent you, however, the lawyer must attend with you. If you would feel more comfortable participating in the process with a lawyer, you can retain someone you would like to work with. A retainer can be for the entire family matter in Provincial Court if you wish or only on a limited basis. The decision is yours. If the lawyer you contact is unwilling to work for you on a limited retainer like this, you can look for someone else.
You should also feel comfortable on a personal level with the lawyer you are going to hire to represent you, as well as having confidence in his or her abilities – so don’t think you have to retain the first lawyer you speak to.