The Government of Saskatchewan is hoping to keep more divorce cases out of the courts. (File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Conciliation and Cooperation

P.A. to serve as launch site for new justice initiative

Dec 5, 2019 | 5:48 PM

The Government of Saskatchewan is hoping to keep more divorce cases out of the court system.

Starting next year Prince Albert will be the launch site for the province’s new divorce separation resolution requirement. The initiative will require people to go through dispute resolution services like mediation or arbitration before going to court.

The policy is getting support from local lawyer Trevor Klassen. He practices family law in Prince Albert and is also certified in collaborative law process, which aims to bring people together to resolve issues.

“I think it’ll be a good thing and hopefully it works out,” he said.

Klassen explained when divorce and separation proceedings can be kept out of court it can be better for everyone involved. Specifically, Klassen said in dispute resolution the people going through the process have more of a say.

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“It gives the parties some control over the process, rather than the court making decisions for them,” he said.

Klassen added this is good in cases where children are involved as parents are more in control. He said judges do the best they can to make decisions but are not always in the best position to do so.

The P.A. based lawyer emphasized dispute resolution practices are beneficial because it brings people together in the spirit of cooperation and finding solutions.

“When you’re in that court process it becomes adversarial,” said Klassen.

Those who qualify will be able to apply for financial support. Speaking to media in Regina, Minister of Justice and Attorney General Don Morgan said they have found people who have gone through this process have better results.

“They work better and there’s far [more] acceptable results,” he said.

In Regina and Saskatoon there are already family courts in place. Morgan said what will be available in P.A. starts earlier in the process and is more comprehensive. He added by mandating people who go through the process, the government will be able to get people to take part who may not want to originally.

“Usually when they get involved in it, they become success[ful],” he said.

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn