This paper highlights areas of consideration for family lawyers relating to criminal or quasi-criminal conduct. In particular, the following topics are discussed: charging a spouse or partner with assault; encouraging clients to obtain Emergency Protection Orders; threatening prosecution as leverage; breaching privilege in the case of client threats; dealing with illegally obtained evidence; and considerations for judicial interim release and no-contact conditions.

This paper is part of a collection presented at LESA’s Intersection of Family and Criminal Law program held in Calgary on March 11, 2017 and in Edmonton on March 18, 2017.