1st Annual Family Dispute Resolution Week (St. John’s)

The Family Dispute Resolution Institute Atlantic (FDRIA) is proud to announce the launch of the first annual Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) Week in Atlantic Canada, taking place from Nov. 24-28, 2025.

This year’s theme, “Advancing Family Dispute Resolution in Atlantic Canada,” highlights the growing importance of peaceful, out-of-court solutions for families navigating legal challenges.

FDR Week will feature a series of hybrid events—available both in person in St. John’s and online from anywhere—designed to engage the public, professionals, and policymakers in meaningful dialogue and learning around family dispute resolution.

Key Events Include:

• Free Public Information Session on Mediation on Tuesday, Nov 25 at 7 p.m. at the Hampton Inn, St. John’s: An evening event open to the public and professionals, offering insights into how family mediation works and how it can help resolve legal issues peacefully.

• Professional Half-Day Conference on Thursday, Nov. 27 12-3 p.m. Law Society NL: A multi-disciplinary gathering for lawyers, judges, mental health professionals, academics, social workers, and others. The conference will explore current practices and innovations in family dispute resolution across Newfoundland and Labrador and Atlantic Canada. Advance registration is required.

• Film Launch: Premiere of a locally-produced short film showcasing family mediation as a constructive alternative to court-based conflict resolution.
“Families deserve options that support healing and resolution, not just litigation,” said Rhona Buchan, lawyer and mediator, and founding member of FDRIA. “FDR Week is about raising awareness and building capacity for dispute resolution that puts families first.”

“This initiative reflects a growing recognition that families benefit from processes that are respectful, collaborative, and focused on long-term well-being,” said Bill English, retired judge of the Provincial Court of Newfoundland and Labrador. “I’m proud to support FDRIA’s efforts to promote meaningful alternatives to adversarial court proceedings.”

FDRIA is a not-for-profit association of family professionals committed to advancing family dispute resolution across Atlantic Canada.

This initiative is co-sponsored by FDRIA with generous support from the Law Commission of Canada.
For registration details, please contact:
📧 info@fdria.ca
📧 rbuchan@buchandr.ca
🌐 www.fdria.ca