Family law information: Luke’s Place & CLEO webinars
Visit our more up-to-date list of webinars
Luke’s Place partners with CLEO to deliver family law information webinars on issues faced by women who have been subjected to violence in their relationship. The webinars are pre-recorded and will be posted to this website and CLEOConnect.ca the afternoon of the date listed.
Divorce Act update – Aug 27, 2019
Earlier this year, the federal government passed major amendments to the Divorce Act. This webinar explores those changes, especially as they relate to how arrangements for the children will be made, in the context of family violence. It will discuss the new language that replaces the terms custody and access, the best interests of the child test and the definition of family violence.
Using FamilyCourtAndBeyond.ca – Oct. 8, 2019
Family court can be an overwhelming experience for anyone, but especially for women with children who are leaving an abusive relationship. This webinar introduces Family Court and Beyond, a workbook, organizer and website developed by Luke’s Place to assist women on this journey. Including legal information in plain language, tip sheets, checklists and more, this resource is an excellent tool for frontline workers to use with clients.
Best interests of the child test – Oct. 29, 2019
In Canada, all decisions about post-separation arrangements for children are made using the best interests of the child test. Both Ontario’s Children’s Law Reform Act and the federal Divorce Act set out the criteria judges are to use when applying the test. This webinar explains what each of those criteria are and mean and discusses differences between the provincial and federal legislation.
Collecting evidence – Nov. 26, 2019
Evidence about family violence can be challenging to find: often, there are few witnesses, and many women don’t report the abuse to anyone. This webinar provides practical suggestions for how women can collect evidence of the abuse to which they have been subjected as well as tips for frontline workers who are assisting women with this task.
Presenting evidence – Dec. 18, 2019
If family violence is to be considered by a mediator or judge, clear evidence of it must be presented. This webinar discusses the standard of proof in family court, what evidence is useful and how to present it in an effective way.
Restraining orders – Jan. 28, 2020
Family violence continues and often escalates post-separation. This webinar explores post-separation abuse and strategies for managing it. Topics covered include: what a restraining order is and how to apply for one, the importance of a safety plan and safety planning for family court.
Intersections between family, criminal and immigration law – Feb. 25, 2020
Many women who leave abusive relationships are dealing with multiple legal issues, each of which has an impact on the other(s). This webinar looks at the intersections among three common legal systems: family, criminal and immigration. It explores the challenges of ensuring appropriate information is shared from one system to another as well as the impact of outcomes in one on what happens in the others.
International abductions – Mar. 24, 2020
We live in an increasingly global community. As a result, families both pre- and post-separation, relocate more frequently. This webinar takes a look at the issue of international abduction of children in the context of family violence, with a focus on steps a woman can take to pre-empt an international abduction as well as what she can do if her children are abducted.
Family law and family violence under COVID-19 – Apr. 22, 2020
This webinar looks at family law, family court and safety issues for women leaving abusive relationships while COVID-19 containment measures are in place. Topics covered include: why it is more difficult for women to leave, why incidents of abuse may increase, how to stay safe while still living with the abuser, what family court operations are available, how women can access legal advice and services, what makes a family law case urgent and how that applies in domestic violence cases.
Supporting rural and remote women – TBA
Women living in rural and remote communities face unique challenges when they decide to leave an abusive relationship, including distance, lack of services, isolation and limited access to lawyers. This webinar presents tips and strategies for supporting women who are facing these and other barriers, with a focus on women’s emotional and physical safety.
Emergency motions – TBA
Women leaving abusive relationships often need family court orders quickly to protect their safety and that of their children, to have their children returned to them and/or to prevent abduction of their children by their abusive former partner. Emergency or ex parte motions are one way to get an order quickly, but bringing a successful one is difficult. This webinar provides basic legal information about emergency motions and how to prepare one.
Thanks to The Law Foundation of Ontario for making it possible for Luke’s Place to develop and deliver these webinars.