Yes, a Chennai Family Court can direct parties to undergo counselling, since Indian courts, following well-established Supreme Court precedent and the Family Courts Act, 1984, have consistently emphasised reconciliation as a primary objective before matrimonial disputes proceed to full-fledged litigation.

Section 9 of the Family Courts Act obliges the court to make every effort to help parties reach a settlement, and Chennai Family Courts routinely refer couples to court-appointed counsellors or mediation centres at the very first hearing, before recording the written statement or proceeding with contested evidence.

These counselling sessions are typically conducted by trained marriage counsellors attached to the Family Court and are confidential, with the counsellor submitting a report on whether reconciliation is possible, though the final decision to reconcile or proceed with divorce always remains with the parties themselves.

Given that counselling can meaningfully affect the direction and even the outcome of your case, it helps to understand your rights and options before attending these sessions. Reaching out via Aapka Legal Advice can help you prepare for court-directed counselling strategically.

Because counselling outcomes can influence settlement terms and even custody discussions later, obtaining a second opinion from a retired judge beforehand can help you approach the process well-informed. Experienced divorce lawyers and retired judges are available through Aapka Legal Advice's Chennai divorce lawyer directory.

In conclusion, a Chennai Family Court can indeed direct parties to undergo counselling, and this step is a standard and often mandatory part of the matrimonial dispute resolution process before contested proceedings advance.