What occurs after the early resolution stage if parties do not come to an agreement?

When parties involved in a family law dispute do not reach an agreement during the early resolution stage, the next step typically requires them to file an Application About a Family Law Matter. This application is a formal request for the court to make decisions about the issues that remain unresolved.

The early resolution process aims to encourage settlement and facilitate discussions to avoid litigation. If an agreement is not achieved at this stage, it indicates that the parties have significant differences that need judicial intervention. Filing an application allows the court to be made aware of the issues at hand, so that it can schedule hearings and provide the necessary directions to move forward in resolving the disputes effectively.

Other options, such as seeking further mediation or waiting for further court directions, may be available in certain contexts, but they do not represent a mandatory or immediate step following the early resolution stage when an agreement isn't reached. Going to trial is not an automatic consequence; it requires the formal initiation of court proceedings through the appropriate application process.