Superior Court of Québec Settlement conference Code of Civil Procedure Settlement Conference At any stage Art. 151.15.  At any stage of the proceeding, the chief justice or chief judge may, at the request of the parties, designate a judge to preside a settlement conference. In their request, the parties must present a summary of the questions at issue. [...] Purpose Art. 151.16.  The purpose of a settlement conference is to facilitate dialogue between the parties and help them to identify their interests, assess their positions, negotiate and explore mutually satisfactory solutions. A settlement conference is held in private, at no cost to the parties and without formality. Participants Art. 151.17.  A settlement conference is held in the presence of the parties, and, if the parties so wish, in the presence of their attorneys. With the consent of the parties, the presiding judge may meet with the parties separately. Other persons may also take part in the conference if the judge and the parties consider that their presence would be helpful in resolving the dispute. Proceeding continued Art. 151.19.  The settlement conference does not suspend the proceeding, but the judge presiding the conference may, if necessary, modify the timetable. Presence or availability Art. 151.20.  The parties must ensure that the persons who have authority to conclude an agreement are present at the settlement conference, or that they may be reached at all times to give their consent. Confidentiality Art. 151.21.  Anything said or written during a settlement conference is confidential. Would you like to settle your dispute out of court ? Are you prepared to make the effort needed to find a satisfactory solution to your dispute ? Do you think you could work with the other party to find a practical win-win solution ? If so, a judge of the Superior Court may help you and the other party engage in a dialogue to find a suitable solution to your dispute. The judge will facilitate the smooth running of the conference. The settlement conference service is FAST : a date for the settlement conference is set without delay as soon as the parties have agreed upon a date; FREE OF CHARGE: presiding settlement conferences are part of a judge's duties; CONFIDENTIAL : a settlement conference is held in private; all the participants sign a confidentiality agreement which they and the judge must respect; BENEFICIAL : reaching a settlement puts an end to the costs and to the likelihood of a trial; and A MEASURE OF REASSURANCE: a settlement of the case will give you peace of mind. You can obtain further information or a copy of the form of Request of the Parties to the Chief Justice for a Settlement Conference: from your attorney ; by mail, email or fax : Montréal division : Supérior Court Service des conférences de règlement à l'amiable Palais de justice 1, rue Notre-Dame Est, bureau 1.150 Montréal (Québec) H2Y 1B6 Telephone: (514) 393-2082 Fax: (514) 864-8588 E-Mail : conferencemtl@justice.gouv.qc.ca   Québec division : Supérior Court Service des conférences de règlement à l'amiable Palais de justice 300, boul. Jean-Lesage, bureau R-327 Québec, (Québec) G1K 8K6 Telephone : (418) 649-3626 Fax : (418) 528-9953 E-Mail : conferenceqc@justice.gouv.qc.ca by Internet and to download the Joint Request Form Source : The Chambre des conférences de règlement à l'amiable of the Superior Court of Québec.

To request the convening of a Settlement Conference : For the Montreal Division For the District of Montreal and its peripheral districts Prior to completing an on-line Joint Request of the Parties for a Settlement Conference, kindly communicate with the Court's "Service de conférences de règlement" to ascertain the available dates. After having agreed, with the other parties, on one or several available dates, complete and return, on line, the « Joint Request for a Settlement Conference » form. By agreement, one of the parties may complete the form for the others or, alternatively, each of the parties may complete and file their own form. At item 10 ( other comments) of the joint request form, please indicate if a trial date has been determined. If you prefer to file by e-mail, you may « download » the form, then complete and annex it to your e-mail message If you prefer to file by mail or by fax, you may « download » or print the form and forward it to the abovementioned address. Please return the completed form without delay, failing which certain desired dates may no longer be available when we receive your request. Absent special authorization, the request must be received at least 30 days prior to the date fixed for trial. If you file your request on line or by e-mail, we will provide a confirmation of the date fixed within a delay of 48 hours following receipt of your request. Within two weeks following receipt of the confirmation of date from our service, each party must forward, by mail or fax, a signed copy of the form in order to definitively reserve the date of the conference, failing which the confirmed date may be cancelled and made available to others. For the District of St-François, Bedford and Lac Mégantic You may complete the « joint request form », on line without indicating any date at item 8. By agreement, one of the parties may complete the form for the others or, alternatively, each of the parties may complete and file their own form. Mention of the name of the signatories will suffice. The original signed copy is forwarded by fax to the office of the coordinating judge. If you wish to file by e-mail, you may « download » the form , then complete and annex it to your e-mail . If you prefer to file by mail or by fax, you may « download » or print the form and forward it to the below mentioned address: Superior Court - Coordinating Judge Palais de justice 77, rue Principale Granby, Québec J2G 9B3 Telephone : (450) 776-7122 Fax : (450) 776-7271 Upon reception of your request, we will communicate with you to fix a conference date. For the District of Hull and its peripheral districts You may complete the « joint request form » , on line without indicating any date at item 8. By agreement, one of the parties may complete the form for the others or, alternatively, each of the parties may complete and file their own form. Mention of the name of the signatories will suffice. The original signed copy may be forwarded by mail or given to the judge who presides the conference. If you wish to file by e-mail, you may « download » the form , then complete and annex it to your e-mail . If you prefer to file by mail or by fax, you may « download » or print the form and forward it to the below mentioned address: Palais de justice 17, rue Laurier Gatineau, Québec J8X 4C1 Tél: (819) 776-8152 Tél: (819) 772-3004 Upon reception of your request, we will communicate with you to fix a conference date.   For the Quebec Division You may simply indicate, in the form, the dates which are convenient to the parties. You may complete the « joint request form » , on line. Mention of the name of the signatories will suffice. The original signed copy must immediately be mailed to the Service des conférences de règlement à l'amiable. If you wish to file by e-mail, you may « download » the form , then complete and annex it to your e-mail . If you prefer to file by mail or by fax, you may « download » or print the form and forward it to the abovementioned address.