The Child-centred Family Justice Strategy:
Survey on the Practice of Family Law in Canada 2004-2006

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APPENDIX C: SUPPORTING TABLES

LIST OF TABLES

Table C1:

Respondents' Continuing Education or Training on Family Law Issues in the Past Five Years, 2006 and 2004

Table C2:

Characteristics of Respondents' Family Law Cases in the Past Year, 2006 and 2004

Table C3:

Proportion of Respondents' Cases in the Past Year Resolved by Various Methods, 2006 and 2004

Table C4:

Respondents' Reports as to Which Issues in Divorce and Variation Cases are Most Likely to Require a Trial and Judicial Decision to be Resolved, 2006 and 2004

Table C5:

Respondents' Perceptions of How Well Informed Their Clients are at the Outset of Their Case, 2006 and 2004

Table C6:

Respondents' Reports of How Often They Inform Clients About or Refer Clients to Various Family Justice Services, 2006 and 2004

Table C7:

Extent to Which Respondents Agree that Unified Family Courts Accomplish Specific Objectives, 2006 and 2004

Table C8:

Respondents' Perceptions of Whether Parenting Arrangements Made Through Specific Processes are Consistent with the Best Interests of the Child, 2006 and 2004

Table C9:

Respondents' Perceptions of How Often Parents Share Decision Making in Specific Areas, 2006 and 2004

Table C10:

Respondents' Perceptions of What the Circumstances are When Parents do not Comply with their Custody/Access Orders and How Frequently it Occurs, 2006 and 2004

Table C11:

Proportion of Respondents Recommending Supervised Access or Exchange Under Various Circumstances, 2006 and 2004

Table C12:

Respondents' Perceptions of How Often Specific Reasons are Given in Cases Where Parental Relocation is an Issue, 2006 and 2004

Table C13:

Respondents' Perceptions of What the Circumstances are in Cases Where Parental Relocation is an Issue and How Frequently it Occurs, 2006 and 2004

Table C14:

Respondents' Opinions Regarding Objectives of the Federal Child Support Guidelines, 2006 and 2004

Table C15:

Proportion of Cases using the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines (SSAG) in Various Situations, 2006

Table C16:

Respondents' Perceptions of What the Circumstances are in Cases Where Spousal Support is an Issue and How Frequently it Occurs, 2006 and 2004

Table C17:

Respondents' Reports on How the Court Addressed the Issue in Cases Involving Spousal Violence and How Frequently it Occurred, 2006 and 2004

Table C18:

Respondents' Reports on How the Court Addressed the Issue in Cases Involving Child Abuse and How Frequently it Occurred, 2006 and 2004

Table C1: Respondents' Continuing Education or Training on Family Law Issues in the Past Five Years, 2006 and 2004

Family Law Issue	2006		2004
	n	%	n	%
Dispute resolution (e.g., mediation)	91	55.5	58	49.6
Family violence	55	33.5	38	32.5
Custody/access	124	75.6	83	70.9
Spousal support	138	84.1	84	71.8
Collaborative family law	83	50.6	67	57.3
Child support guidelines	123	75.0	93	79.5
Property division	119	72.6	79	67.5
Other*	42	25.6	25	21.4

<sup>Sources of data: Survey on the Practice of Family Law in Canada, 2006 and 2004.
2006 Total N=164; 2004 Total N=117.
* Other includes a variety of family law issues such as: pensions, child protection, interest-based negotiation, child representation, taxation/business valuation, and case management.</sup>

Table C2: Characteristics of Respondents' Family Law Cases in the Past Year, 2006 and 2004

2006

Characteristic	Mean	Range	n
Number of family law cases in past year	77.7	0 — 300	138
Proportion of family law cases involving children	74.5	5 — 100	144
Proportion of family law cases funded by legal aid	18.2	0 — 100	130
Proportion of family law cases with children involved that are variations of previous orders/agreements	26.2	0 — 80	142

2004

Characteristic	Mean	Range	n
Number of family law cases in past year	92.6	10 — 400	97
Proportion of family law cases involving children	74.1	9 — 100	108
Proportion of family law cases funded by legal aid	25.3	0 — 100	92
Proportion of family law cases with children involved that are variations of previous orders/agreements	28.1	0 — 100	106

^{Sources of data: Survey on the Practice of Family Law in Canada, 2006 and 2004.
2006 Total N=153; 2004 Total N=110 (excludes judges).}

Table C3: Proportion of Respondents' Cases in the Past Year Resolved by Various Methods, 2006 and 2004

2006

Resolution Method	Mean	Range	n
Settled by parents	17.1	0 — 70	108
Settled by mediation	12.9	0 — 80	102
Settled by negotiation before trial	42.7	5 — 100	133
Settled by settlement conference	20.5	0 — 80	117
Resolved by collaborative family law	9.1	0 — 75	83
Decided by a judge after a hearing or trial	13.1	0 — 60	127

2004

Resolution Method	Mean	Range	n
Settled by parents	13.4	0 — 75	83
Settled by mediation	10.9	0 — 60	69
Settled by negotiation before trial	48.4	1 — 95	99
Settled by settlement conference	24.3	0 — 95	81
Resolved by collaborative family law	8.5	0 — 80	54
Decided by a judge after a hearing or trial	14.1	0 — 100	96

^{Sources of data: Survey on the Practice of Family Law in Canada, 2006 and 2004.
2006 Total N=153; 2004 Total N=110 (excludes judges).}

Table C4: Respondents' Reports as to Which Issues in Divorce and Variation Cases are Most Likely to Require a Trial and Judicial Decision to be Resolved, 2006 and 2004

2006

Issue	In a Divorce Case		In a Variation Case
	n	%	n	%
Child Support	9	5.5	32	19.5
Custody	85	51.8	56	34.1
Access	55	33.5	47	28.7
Spousal support	113	68.9	82	50.0
Property division	58	35.4	--	--
Child support arrears	34	20.7	44	26.8
Spousal support arrears	44	26.8	40	24.4
Undue hardship	--	--	23	14.0
Parental relocation (mobility)	--	--	106	64.6

2004

Issue	In a Divorce Case		In a Variation Case
	n	%	n	%
Child Support	14	12.0	22	18.8
Custody	63	53.8	33	28.2
Access	40	34.2	36	30.8
Spousal support	87	74.4	70	59.8
Property division	52	44.4	--	--
Child support arrears	28	23.9	41	35.0
Spousal support arrears	22	18.8	33	28.2
Undue hardship	--	--	22	18.8
Parental relocation (mobility)	--	--	75	64.1

^{Sources of data: Survey on the Practice of Family Law in Canada, 2006 and 2004.
2006 Total N=164; 2004 Total N=117.}

Table C5: Respondents' Perceptions of How Well Informed Their Clients are at the Outset of Their Case, 2006 and 2004

2006

Service/Issue	Very Well Informed		Somewhat Informed		Not at All Informed		They are Misinformed		N/A		Missing
	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%
Marriage or relationship counselling	29	19.0	96	62.7	19	12.4	2	1.3	1	0.7	6	3.9
Individual counselling	25	16.3	105	68.6	15	9.8	2	1.3	1	0.7	5	3.3
Mediation services	12	7.8	79	51.6	52	34.0	3	2.0	2	1.3	5	3.3
Child assessment services	6	3.9	20	13.1	107	69.9	9	5.9	3	2.0	8	5.2
Collaborative family law	5	3.3	44	28.8	91	59.5	4	2.6	2	1.3	7	4.6
Parenting education programs	10	6.5	49	32.0	84	54.9	2	1.3	2	1.3	6	3.9
Parenting plans (written document jointly developed by parents)	3	2.0	32	20.9	96	62.7	12	7.8	2	1.3	8	5.2
Psychological effects of divorce on children	2	1.3	64	41.8	56	36.6	24	15.7	2	1.3	5	3.3
Domestic violence services	9	5.9	72	47.1	57	37.3	2	1.3	7	4.6	6	3.9
Supervised access	2	1.3	49	32.0	72	47.1	22	14.4	2	1.3	6	3.9
Supervised exchange	2	1.3	31	20.3	92	60.1	14	9.2	5	3.3	9	5.9
Child support issues	20	13.1	107	69.9	11	7.2	10	6.5	1	0.7	4	2.6
Family Law Information Centres	5	3.3	31	20.3	91	59.5	3	2.0	17	11.1	6	3.9
Maintenance enforcement programs	15	9.8	82	53.6	40	26.1	10	6.5	2	1.3	4	2.6
Financial assistance services	6	3.9	51	33.3	77	50.3	4	2.6	8	5.2	7	4.6
Legal Aid services/duty counsel	16	10.5	72	47.1	44	28.8	7	4.6	7	4.6	6	3.9
Spousal support issues	5	3.3	60	39.2	50	32.7	29	19.0	1	0.7	8	5.2
Variation or recalculation services	9	5.9	29	19.0	87	56.9	6	3.9	14	9.2	8	5.2

2004

Service/Issue	Very Well Informed		Somewhat Informed		Not at All Informed		They are Misinformed		N/A		Missing
	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%
Marriage or relationship counselling	12	10.9	76	69.1	14	12.7	4	3.6	0	0.0	4	3.6
Individual counselling	13	11.8	74	67.3	15	13.6	3	2.7	0	0.0	5	4.5
Mediation services	7	6.4	48	43.6	42	38.2	8	7.3	1	0.9	4	3.6
Child assessment services	3	2.7	19	17.3	72	65.5	9	8.2	2	1.8	5	4.5
Collaborative family law	1	0.9	20	18.2	77	70.0	5	4.5	1	0.9	6	5.5
Parenting education programs	4	3.6	33	30.0	62	56.4	4	3.6	3	2.7	4	3.6
Parenting plans (written document jointly developed by parents)	3	2.7	20	18.2	69	62.7	11	10.0	2	1.8	5	4.5
Psychological effects of divorce on children	3	2.7	40	36.4	48	43.6	14	12.7	0	0.0	5	4.5
Domestic violence services	5	4.5	59	53.6	31	28.2	6	5.5	4	3.6	5	4.5
Supervised access	3	2.7	31	28.2	55	50.0	15	13.6	1	0.9	5	4.5
Supervised exchange	3	2.7	20	18.2	68	61.8	12	10.9	1	0.9	6	5.5
Child support issues	12	10.9	81	73.6	8	7.3	5	4.5	0	0.0	4	3.6
Family Law Information Centres	1	0.9	22	20.0	64	58.2	2	1.8	16	14.5	5	4.5
Maintenance enforcement programs	10	9.1	62	56.4	25	22.7	8	7.3	1	0.9	4	3.6
Financial assistance services	5	4.5	45	40.9	40	36.4	4	3.6	9	8.2	7	6.4
Legal Aid services/duty counsel	9	8.2	61	55.5	23	20.9	4	3.6	7	6.4	6	5.5
Spousal support issues	6	5.5	55	50.0	28	25.5	17	15.5	0	0.0	4	3.6
Variation or recalculation services	3	2.7	34	30.9	54	49.1	4	3.6	10	9.1	5	4.5

^{Sources of data: Survey on the Practice of Family Law in Canada, 2006 and 2004.
2006 Total N=153; 2004 Total N=110 (excludes judges).}

Table C6: Respondents' Reports of How Often They Inform Clients About or Refer Clients to Various Family Justice Services, 2006 and 2004

2006

Family Justice Service	Rarely		Occasionally		Often		Almost Always		Missing
	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%
Marriage or relationship Counselling	17	11.1	43	28.1	44	28.8	39	25.5	10	6.5
Individual counselling	7	4.6	38	24.8	68	44.4	32	20.9	8	5.2
Mediation services	14	9.2	35	22.9	54	35.3	41	26.8	9	5.9
Child assessment services	27	17.6	76	49.7	33	21.6	7	4.6	10	6.5
Collaborative family law	52	34.0	34	22.2	28	18.3	30	19.6	9	5.9
Parenting plans	31	20.3	38	24.8	50	32.7	25	16.3	9	5.9
Parenting education programs	15	9.8	40	26.1	41	26.8	50	32.7	7	4.6
Domestic violence services	42	27.5	74	48.4	25	16.3	4	2.6	8	5.2
Supervised access	55	35.9	79	51.6	9	5.9	1	0.7	9	5.9
Supervised exchange	71	46.4	64	41.8	7	4.6	1	0.7	10	6.5
Maintenance enforcement programs	6	3.9	23	15.0	59	38.6	58	37.9	7	4.6
Financial assistance services	50	32.7	60	39.2	26	17.0	8	5.2	9	5.9
Legal Aid services/duty counsel	52	34.0	50	32.7	25	16.3	18	11.8	8	5.2
Variation or recalculation services	67	43.8	33	21.6	22	14.4	9	5.9	22	14.4

2004

Family Justice Service	Rarely		Occasionally		Often		Almost Always		Missing
	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%
Marriage or relationship counselling	11	10.0	39	35.5	23	20.9	33	30.0	4	3.6
Individual counselling	6	5.5	29	26.4	46	41.8	26	23.6	3	2.7
Mediation services	10	9.1	34	30.9	32	29.1	30	27.3	4	3.6
Child assessment services	17	15.5	50	45.5	29	26.4	9	8.2	5	4.5
Collaborative family law	41	37.3	18	16.4	13	11.8	32	29.1	6	5.5
Parenting plans	14	12.7	26	23.6	31	28.2	30	27.3	9	8.2
Parenting education programs	12	10.9	28	25.5	23	20.9	42	38.2	5	4.5
Domestic violence services	25	22.7	53	48.2	21	19.1	7	6.4	4	3.6
Supervised access	33	30.0	54	49.1	10	9.1	9	8.2	4	3.6
Supervised exchange	45	40.9	44	40.0	8	7.3	8	7.3	5	4.5
Maintenance enforcement programs	6	5.5	15	13.6	36	32.7	50	45.5	3	2.7
Financial assistance services	41	37.3	35	31.8	16	14.5	11	10.0	7	6.4
Legal Aid services/duty counsel	29	26.4	36	32.7	19	17.3	21	19.1	5	4.5
Variation or recalculation services	44	40.0	30	27.3	14	12.7	11	10.0	11	10.0

^{Sources of data: Survey on the Practice of Family Law in Canada, 2006 and 2004.
2006 Total N=153; 2004 Total N=110 (excludes judges).}

Table C7 Extent to Which Respondents Agree that Unified Family Courts Accomplish Specific Objectives, 2006 and 2004

2006

Objective	Strongly Agree		Agree		Disagree		Strongly Disagree		Missing
	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%
Simplify procedures	27	16.5	51	31.1	30	18.3	14	8.5	42	25.6
Provide easy access to various family justice services	28	17.1	59	36.0	24	14.6	10	6.1	43	26.2
Provide timely resolution to family law matters	19	11.6	44	26.8	38	23.2	19	11.6	44	26.8
Produce outcomes tailored to individual needs	19	11.6	55	33.5	32	19.5	11	6.7	47	28.7

2004

Objective	Strongly Agree		Agree		Disagree		Strongly Disagree		Missing
	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%
Simplify procedures	27	23.1	40	34.2	20	17.1	7	6.0	23	19.7
Provide easy access to various family justice services	24	20.5	40	34.2	19	16.2	8	6.8	26	22.2
Provide timely resolution to family law matters	20	17.1	33	28.2	28	23.9	13	11.1	23	19.7
Produceoutcomes tailored to individual needs	18	15.4	44	37.6	24	20.5	8	6.8	23	19.7

^{Sources of data: Survey on the Practice of Family Law in Canada, 2006 and 2004.
2006 Total N=164; 2004 Total N=117.}

Table C8: Respondents' Perceptions of Whether Parenting Arrangements Made Through Specific Processes are Consistent with the Best Interests of the Child, 2006 and 2004

2006

Process	Yes		No		Missing
	n	%	n	%	n	%
Arrangements made by parents themselves	133	81.1	20	12.2	11	6.7
Arrangements made as a result of mediation	134	81.7	13	7.9	17	10.4
Arrangements negotiated by lawyers (on their own or after judicial conference)	135	82.3	15	9.1	14	8.5
Arrangements that are a result of collaborative family law	98	59.8	8	4.9	58	35.4
Arrangements made by a judge after a trial or hearing	99	60.4	43	26.2	22	13.4

2004

Process	Yes		No		Missing
	n	%	n	%	n	%
Arrangements made by parents themselves	86	73.5	19	16.2	12	10.3
Arrangements made as a result of mediation	98	83.8	7	6.0	12	10.3
Arrangements negotiated by lawyers (on their own or after judicial conference)	93	79.5	14	12.0	10	8.5
Arrangements that are a result of collaborative family law	77	65.8	3	2.6	37	31.6
Arrangements made by a judge after a trial or hearing	60	51.3	45	38.5	12	10.3

^{Sources of data: Survey on the Practice of Family Law in Canada, 2006 and 2004.
2006 Total N=164; 2004 Total N=117.}

Table C9: Respondents' Perceptions of How Often Parents Share Decision Making in Specific Areas, 2006 and 2004

2006

Decision-making Area	Rarely		Occasionally		Often		Almost Always		Missing
	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%
Health	12	7.3	55	33.5	68	41.5	21	12.8	8	4.9
Education	7	4.3	53	32.3	79	48.2	18	11.0	7	4.3
Religion	33	20.1	59	36.0	49	29.9	15	9.1	8	4.9
Culture	32	19.5	63	38.4	47	28.7	11	6.7	11	6.7

2004

Decision-making Area	Rarely		Occasionally		Often		Almost Always		Missing
	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%
Health	9	7.7	32	27.4	50	42.7	21	17.9	5	4.3
Education	7	6.0	37	31.6	52	44.4	16	13.7	5	4.3
Religion	22	18.8	37	31.6	37	31.6	12	10.3	9	7.7
Culture	21	17.9	36	30.8	37	31.6	10	8.5	13	11.1

^{Sources of data: Survey on the Practice of Family Law in Canada, 2006 and 2004.
2006 Total N=164; 2004 Total N=117.}

Table C10: Respondents' Perceptions of What the Circumstances are When Parents do not Comply with their Custody/Access Orders and How Frequently it Occurs, 2006 and 2004

2006

Circumstance	Rarely		Occasionally		Often		Almost Always		Missing
	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%
Access parent does not exercise access	31	18.9	84	51.2	41	25.0	1	0.6	7	4.3
Access parent is late returning child	11	6.7	94	57.3	49	29.9	3	1.8	7	4.3
Custodial parent refuses access for no valid cause	33	20.1	90	54.9	30	18.3	4	2.4	7	4.3
Custodial parent refuses access for cause (e.g., access parent intoxicated)	35	21.3	92	56.1	30	18.3	0	0.0	7	4.3
Child refuses visit with access parent	15	9.1	106	64.6	36	22.0	1	0.6	6	3.7
Frequent changes in schedule	29	17.7	75	45.7	47	28.7	0	0.0	13	7.9
Family violence concerns	83	50.6	63	38.4	9	5.5	1	0.6	8	4.9

2004

Circumstance	Rarely		Occasionally		Often		Almost Always		Missing
	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%
Access parent does not exercise access	17	14.5	58	49.6	38	32.5	0	0.0	4	3.4
Access parent is late returning child	16	13.7	45	38.5	48	41.0	3	2.6	5	4.3
Custodial parent refuses access for no valid cause	15	12.8	60	51.3	34	29.1	2	1.7	6	5.1
Custodial parent refuses access for cause (e.g., access parent intoxicated)	25	21.4	72	61.5	14	12.0	1	0.9	5	4.3
Child refuses visit with access parent	23	19.7	68	58.1	22	18.8	0	0.0	4	3.4
Frequent changes in schedule	27	23.1	53	45.3	30	25.6	2	1.7	5	4.3
Family violence concerns	57	48.7	41	35.0	12	10.3	3	2.6	4	3.4

^{Sources of data: Survey on the Practice of Family Law in Canada, 2006 and 2004.
2006 Total N=164; 2004 Total N=117.}

Table C11: Proportion of Respondents Recommending Supervised Access or Exchange Under Various Circumstances, 2006 and 2004

Circumstance	2006				2004
	Supervised Access		Supervised Exchange		Supervised Access		Supervised Exchange
	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%
In high conflict situations	36	23.5	105	68.6	29	26.4	85	77.3
In situations of spousal violence	57	37.3	96	62.7	43	39.1	76	69.1
In situations where there are allegations of child abuse	130	85.0	36	23.5	94	85.5	34	30.9
In situations where there is substance abuse	113	73.9	55	35.9	88	80.0	37	33.6
In situations where there are mental health concerns	113	73.9	53	34.6	88	80.0	42	38.2
Not available in my jurisdiction	2	1.3	9	5.9	2	1.8	8	7.3
Other	10	6.5	3	2.0	10	9.1	4	3.6

^{Sources of data: Survey on the Practice of Family Law in Canada, 2006 and 2004.
2006 Total N=153; 2004 Total N=110 (excludes judges).}

Table C12: Respondents' Perceptions of How Often Specific Reasons are Given in Cases Where Parental Relocation is an Issue, 2006 and 2004

2006

Reason	Rarely		Occasionally		Often		Almost Always		Missing
	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%
Employment opportunity	2	1.2	26	15.9	91	55.5	28	17.1	17	10.4
Educational opportunity	38	23.2	63	38.4	37	22.6	2	1.2	24	14.6
To be closer to family/friends	8	4.9	35	21.3	86	52.4	18	11.0	17	10.4
To be with new partner	7	4.3	25	15.2	95	57.9	18	11.0	19	11.6
No particular reason	84	51.2	15	9.1	6	3.7	0	0.0	59	36.0

2004

Reason	Rarely		Occasionally		Often		Almost Always		Missing
	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%
Employment opportunity	7	6.0	23	19.7	57	48.7	21	17.9	9	7.7
Educational opportunity	25	21.4	43	36.8	23	19.7	1	0.9	25	21.4
To be closer to family/friends	2	1.7	28	23.9	60	51.3	13	11.1	14	12.0
To be with new partner	7	6.0	20	17.1	67	57.3	13	11.1	10	8.5
No particular reason	38	32.5	19	16.2	7	6.0	0	0.0	53	45.0

^{Sources of data: Survey on the Practice of Family Law in Canada, 2006 and 2004.
2006 Total N=164; 2004 Total N=117.}

Table C13: Respondents' Perceptions of What the Circumstances are in Cases Where Parental Relocation is an Issue and How Frequently it Occurs, 2006 and 2004

2006

Circumstance	Rarely		Occasionally		Often		Almost Always		Missing
	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%
Custodial parent wishes to move within the city	88	53.7	37	22.6	18	11.0	0	0.0	21	12.8
Custodial parent wishes to move within the province/territory	12	7.3	68	41.5	61	37.2	8	4.9	15	9.1
Custodial parent wishes to move to a different province/territory	10	6.1	63	38.4	63	38.4	14	8.5	14	8.5
Custodial parent wishes to move outside the country	98	59.8	34	20.7	10	6.1	7	4.3	15	9.1
Access parent wishes to move within the city	115	70.1	12	7.3	15	9.1	0	0.0	22	13.4
Access parent wishes to move within the province/territory	101	61.6	36	22.0	7	4.3	0	0.0	20	12.2
Access parent wishes to move to a different province/territory	92	56.1	41	25.0	12	7.3	0	0.0	19	11.6
Access parent wishes to move outside the country	127	77.4	15	9.1	2	1.2	1	0.6	19	11.6

2004

Circumstance	Rarely		Occasionally		Often		Almost Always		Missing
	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%
Custodial parent wishes to move within the city	65	55.6	21	17.9	17	14.5	2	1.7	12	10.3
Custodial parent wishes to move within the province/territory	8	6.8	52	44.4	42	35.9	7	6.0	8	6.8
Custodial parent wishes to move to a different province/territory	7	6.0	44	37.6	42	35.9	16	13.7	8	6.8
Custodial parent wishes to move outside the country	71	60.7	24	20.5	6	5.1	7	6.0	9	7.7
Access parent wishes to move within the city	79	67.5	12	10.3	10	8.5	0	0.0	16	13.7
Access parent wishes to move within the province/territory	54	46.2	32	27.4	16	13.7	0	0.0	15	12.8
Access parent wishes to move to a different province/territory	56	47.9	34	29.1	10	8.5	1	0.9	16	13.7
Access parent wishes to move outside the country	84	71.8	14	12.0	1	0.9	1	0.9	17	14.5

^{Sources of data: Survey on the Practice of Family Law in Canada, 2006 and 2004.
2006 Total N=164; 2004 Total N=117.}

Table C14: Respondents' Opinions Regarding Objectives of the Federal Child Support Guidelines, 2006 and 2004

2006

Objective	Strongly Agree		Agree		Disagree		Strongly Disagree		Missing
	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%
Overall, the Child Support Guidelines have resulted in a better system of determining child support than the pre-1997 system.	81	49.4	66	40.2	6	3.7	3	1.8	8	4.9
Cases are settled more quickly since the implementation of the Guidelines.	92	56.1	54	32.9	8	4.9	2	1.2	8	4.9
Since implementation of the Guidelines, most cases are resolved simply by relying on the Tables to establish amounts of support.	72	43.9	68	41.5	14	8.5	3	1.8	7	4.3
In cases involving litigation, the issues to be resolved are more defined and focussed than prior to implementation of the Guidelines.	64	39.0	77	47.0	11	6.7	4	2.4	8	4.9

2004

Objective	Strongly Agree		Agree		Disagree		Strongly Disagree		Missing
	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%
Overall, the Child Support Guidelines have resulted in a better system of determining child support than the pre-1997 system.	46	39.3	62	53.0	6	5.1	2	1.7	1	0.9
Cases are settled more quickly since the implementation of the Guidelines.	42	35.9	61	52.1	10	8.5	2	1.7	2	1.7
Since implementation of the Guidelines, most cases are resolved simply by relying on the Tables to establish amounts of support.	42	35.9	58	49.6	11	9.4	5	4.3	1	0.9
In cases involving litigation, the issues to be resolved are more defined and focussed than prior to implementation of the Guidelines.	34	29.1	66	56.4	12	10.3	2	1.7	3	2.4

^{Sources of data: Survey on the Practice of Family Law in Canada, 2006 and 2004.
2006 Total N=164; 2004 Total N=117.}

Table C15: Proportion of Cases using the Spousal Support Advisory Guidelines (SSAG) in Various Situations, 2006

Situation	Reference made to SSAG			Resolution within SSAG Range
	Mean	Range	n	Mean	Range	n
Discussions with clients	83.9	0-100	104	58.5	0-100	69
Cases settled by negotiation	76.6	0-100	102	59.0	0-100	86
Cases settled by mediation	63.6	0-100	64	47.9	0-100	53
Interim motions	66.4	0-100	90	51.7	0-100	74
Cases settled by case conference	69.4	0-100	84	54.0	0-100	71
Cases resolved by judge after hearing	63.0	0-100	86	54.6	0-100	69

^{Sources of data: Survey on the Practice of Family Law in Canada, 2006.
2006 Total N=164.}

Table C16: Respondents' Perceptions of What the Circumstances are in Cases Where Spousal Support is an Issue and How Frequently it Occurs, 2006 and 2004

2006

Circumstance	Rarely		Occasionally		Often		Almost Always		Missing
	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%
Claimant spouse is a stay-at-home parent	10	6.1	39	23.8	82	50.0	19	11.6	14	8.5
Claimant spouse was a stay-at-home parent to children now grown and is not in labour force	10	6.1	47	28.7	81	49.4	12	7.3	14	8.5
Couple had no children and claimant spouse is not in labour force	77	47.0	56	34.1	12	7.3	3	1.8	16	9.8
Respondent's income is considerably higher than claimant spouse's income	3	1.8	16	9.8	89	54.3	40	24.4	16	9.8
Potential payor has income of $75,000 or more	5	3.0	41	25.0	77	47.0	25	15.2	16	9.8
Trade off of property in lieu of monetary spousal support	42	25.6	60	36.6	44	26.8	1	0.6	17	10.4

2004

Circumstance	Rarely		Occasionally		Often		Almost Always		Missing
	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%
Claimant spouse is a stay-at-home parent	0	0.0	34	29.1	66	56.4	12	10.3	5	4.3
Claimant spouse was a stay-at-home parent to children now grown and is not in labour force	5	4.3	34	29.1	65	55.6	8	6.8	5	4.3
Couple had no children and claimant spouse is not in labour force	51	43.6	51	43.6	8	6.8	2	1.7	5	4.3
Respondent's income is considerably higher than claimant spouse's income	2	1.7	18	15.4	67	57.3	26	22.2	4	3.4
Potential payor has income of $75,000 or more	8	6.8	41	35.0	48	41.0	15	12.8	5	4.3
Trade off of property in lieu of monetary spousal support	26	22.2	55	47.0	27	23.1	2	1.7	7	6.0

^{Sources of data: Survey on the Practice of Family Law in Canada, 2006 and 2004.
2006 Total N =164; 2004 Total N=117.}

Table C17: Respondents' Reports on How the Court Addressed the Issue in Cases Involving Spousal Violence and How Frequently it Occurred, 2006 and 2004

2006

Court Response	Rarely		Occasionally		Often		Almost Always		Missing
	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%
Assessment services were used	61	37.2	45	27.4	28	17.1	3	1.8	27	16.5
Child was given legal representation	86	52.4	32	19.5	15	9.1	1	0.6	30	18.3
Access supervision was ordered	30	18.3	76	46.3	31	18.9	3	1.8	24	14.6
Exchange supervision was ordered	41	25.0	52	31.7	35	21.3	4	2.4	32	19.5
Counselling services were used	35	21.3	50	30.5	46	28.0	6	3.7	27	16.5
Parents were educated on the effects of family violence on children	63	38.4	39	23.8	23	14.0	8	4.9	31	18.9
Access was denied to abusive parent	81	49.4	47	28.7	8	4.9	1	0.6	27	16.5
Custody was denied to abusive parent	30	18.3	31	18.9	49	29.9	25	15.2	29	17.7
Civil order restraining harassment/ spousal contact	9	5.5	33	20.1	74	45.1	26	15.9	22	13.4
Court did not address the issue	76	6.3	26	15.9	11	6.7	5	3.0	46	28.0

2004

Court Response	Rarely		Occasionally		Often		Almost Always		Missing
	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%
Assessment services were used	34	29.1	32	27.4	21	17.9	2	1.7	28	23.9
Child was given legal representation	48	41.0	31	26.5	12	10.3	2	1.7	24	20.5
Access supervision was ordered	17	14.5	47	40.2	26	22.2	5	4.3	22	18.8
Exchange supervision was ordered	29	24.8	36	30.8	21	17.9	6	5.1	25	21.4
Counselling services were used	27	23.1	35	29.9	26	22.2	8	6.8	21	17.9
Parents were educated on the effects of family violence on children	50	42.7	24	20.5	16	13.7	2	1.7	25	21.4
Access was denied to abusive parent	56	47.9	29	24.8	9	7.7	1	0.9	22	18.8
Custody was denied to abusive parent	15	12.8	27	23.1	36	30.8	11	9.4	28	23.9
Civil order restraining harassment/ spousal contact	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--
Court did not address the issue	41	35.0	25	21.4	12	10.3	10	8.5	29	24.8

^{Sources of data: Survey on the Practice of Family Law in Canada, 2006 and 2004.
2006 Total N=164; 2004 Total N=117.}

Table C18: Respondents' Reports on How the Court Addressed the Issue in Cases Involving Child Abuse and How Frequently it Occurred, 2006 and 2004

2006

Court Response	Rarely		Occasionally		Often		Almost Always		Missing
	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%
Assessment services were used	15	9.1	29	17.7	62	37.8	22	13.4	36	22.0
Child was given legal representation	66	40.2	26	15.9	22	13.4	12	7.3	38	23.2
Access supervision was ordered	7	4.3	28	17.1	64	39.0	32	19.5	33	20.1
Exchange supervision was ordered	44	26.8	39	23.8	31	18.9	12	7.3	38	23.2
Counselling services were used	21	12.8	36	22.0	57	34.8	14	8.5	36	22.0
Parents were educated on the effects of family violence on children	49	29.9	35	21.3	30	18.3	13	7.9	37	22.6
Access was denied to abusive parent	39	23.8	41	25.0	41	25.0	7	4.3	36	22.0
Custody was denied to abusive parent	15	9.1	17	10.4	40	24.4	56	34.1	36	22.0
Court made referral to child welfare agency	52	31.7	37	22.6	16	9.8	16	9.8	43	26.2
Court did not address the issue	81	49.4	15	9.1	4	2.4	1	0.6	63	38.4

2004

Court Response	Rarely		Occasionally		Often		Almost Always		Missing
	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%	n	%
Assessment services were used	11	9.4	26	22.2	24	20.5	27	23.1	29	24.8
Child was given legal representation	37	31.6	22	18.8	23	19.7	10	8.5	25	21.4
Access supervision was ordered	2	1.7	22	18.8	45	38.5	26	22.2	22	18.8
Exchange supervision was ordered	22	18.8	27	23.1	22	18.8	10	8.5	36	30.8
Counselling services were used	23	19.7	28	23.9	31	26.5	5	4.3	30	25.6
Parents were educated on the effects of family violence on children	41	35.0	26	22.2	14	12.0	3	2.6	33	28.2
Access was denied to abusive parent	22	18.8	29	24.8	29	24.8	8	6.8	29	24.8
Custody was denied to abusive parent	6	5.1	9	7.7	34	29.1	40	34.2	28	23.9
Court made referral to child welfare agency	34	29.1	26	22.2	15	12.8	9	7.7	33	28.2
Court did not address the issue	58	49.6	14	12.0	2	1.7	2	1.7	41	35.0

^{Sources of data: Survey on the Practice of Family Law in Canada, 2006 and 2004.
2006 Total N=164; 2004 Total N=117.}

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