High conflict separations pose significant challenges for judges, lawyers and mental health professionals trying to help parents restructure their relationships from intimate adult partners to one of co-parents in separate households.  Many of the parents involved in these cases have hostility, mistrust and anger arising from the breakdown of the relationship, and a significant portion of the parents may have personality disorders. There are often claims of domestic violence, child abuse and parental alienation. The children are often at risk of emotional harm.  Child protection services or the police may be involved, with the prospect of concurrent family law proceedings and criminal or child protection proceedings.

This presentation will include a discussion of the social science literature and legal issues and provide practical suggestions for family lawyers involved in these cases, as well as references for further reading. There will be a question period.

Speakers:

Dr. Rachel Birnbaum, Ph.D., RSW; 

Professor Nicholas Bala, William R. Lederman Distinguished University Professor, L.S.M., B.A. (Toronto) J.D. (Queen's)LL.M. (Harvard)

Justice Yvonne D. Fiamengo, Superior Court of Justice (Family Branch) 

Moderator:

Anna Harris

CPD Hours: 1h 15m Substantive  15m Professionalism

YRLA members - no charge

Non members - $35.00 plus hst