The global spread of COVID-19 has rapidly and significantly altered how we are all living and working.  With the implementation of social distancing measures, including the closure of schools, daycares and business, many separated or divorced couples will face additional challenges parenting their children and/or paying support.  Our family law department is still here to assist clients during this time.

Contacting a Lawyer

At McKercher LLP we are committed to continuing to provide full service to our current and new clients during this time.  Although most of our lawyers will be back working in the office by the middle of June, we are still working to address the spread of COIVD-19 by limiting our in-person interactions, including client meetings.  However, we continue to be available by email, phone, and video conferencing.  If an in-person meeting is necessary, we have arrangements in place to ensure this can occur within social distancing requirements including the availability of disposable face masks for use by both clients and staff for everyone’s safety. 

If you are an existing client, you can continue to contact your lawyer as you have done previously.  If you are not currently a client of the firm but would like to speak with a lawyer regarding a family law matter, you can send an email to our senior family law assistant, Renée Dust, at r.dust@mckercher.ca Renée will then contact you to ensure McKercher LLP is able to assist you and arrange for a family lawyer to contact you.  If you would like to speak with a specific family lawyer at McKercher LLP, please let Renée know and she will put you in contact with that individual.

Resolving Matters

During this time family law issues can continue to be resolved through negotiation, mediation and collaborative processes.  However, consideration would have to be given as to how these processes would occur in order comply with social distancing measures.  This can include the use of alternate means (video or telephone conferencing) instead of in person meetings.

As of June 1, 2020, the courthouse is starting to return to more normal operations.  Although in person attendance is still being limited, the courthouse will be open to hearing all applications for relief by telephone and will be scheduling pre-trials either in person or by phone as appropriate.  

At the start of COVID the court had adjourned all applications which were set to be heard in March, April and May to specific dates in June.  This directive has now been amended such that all matters that had been previously scheduled have been adjourned without a return date.  If parties wish for the matter to proceed, then the party who brought the application has to contact the courthouse to schedule a hearing and provide notice of that hearing date and time to the opposing party.   The courthouse is conducting a “chambers blitz” in the month of June to clear the backlog of applications and provide resolutions to parties who require the same.  Each application is being set for 30 minutes and the parties are provided a specific time for when they have to be available to speak to their matter. 

If you have been served with a notice of hearing, need to bring an application before the court or wish to discuss how best to proceed with an issue you may be facing, the McKercher LLP Family Law Team is here to assist you during this stressful time.  If you have any questions, please contact us.

The McKercher LLP Family Law Team is here to assist you during this stressful time. If you have any questions, please contact us. 

About the Author: 

Kate is an associate in the Saskatoon office. 

About McKercher LLP: 

McKercher LLP is one of Saskatchewan’s largest, most established law firms, with offices in Saskatoon and Regina. Our deep roots and client-first philosophy have helped our firm to rank in the top 5 in Saskatchewan by Canadian Lawyer magazine (2019/20). Integrity, experience, and capacity provide innovative solutions for our clients’ diverse legal issues and complex business transactions. 

This post is for information purposes only and should not be taken as legal opinions on any specific facts or circumstances.  Counsel should be consulted concerning your own situation and any specific legal questions you may have. 

For more information and resources regarding COVID-19 visit www.mckercher.ca/covid-19

For more information and resources regarding Family Law in Saskatchewan visit www.familylawsask.com