Ontario Court of Justice - Central West Region

  • March 19, 2021

For the latest information from the Courts and MAG, including the latest courthouse COVID-19 updates, visit the OBA Courts Reopening page

OCJ: Virtual Case Management Court Appearances

On August 24, 2020, the OCJ will start having virtual case management court appearances for criminal matters with out of custody accused persons in the following locations: Cayuga, Goderich, Guelph, Orangeville, L’Orignal, Pembroke, Saint Thomas, Simcoe, Stratford, Windsor, and Woodstock. On August 31, 2020, virtual case management court appearances of this nature will begin in Thunder Bay, Timmins, and Toronto East (1911 Eglinton). For more information, see here.

OCJ Update: August 10

The OCJ has issued a new Notice to the Legal Profession and the Public regarding the process for electronically submitting documents for family and criminal matters at the OCJ. Persons that are unable to file documents electronically are encourage to contact their local OCJ courthouse by telephone or email to hear about alternative filing options.

OCJ Notice to the Profession and Practice Direction - August 6

The OCJ has released a new Notice to the Profession and the Public detailing when criminal trials and preliminary hearings will resume at select OCJ locations. These matters will resume on August 17, 2020 in College Park, Timmins, and Peterborough, and on August 24, 2020 in Burlington. 

OCJ Update July 28

One July 28, the OCJ issued a Notice to the Profession and the Public related to criminal case management. Given health and safety restrictions, in=person attendances for criminal court case management appearances cannot be accommodated at this time.

OCJ July 21 Update

The Ontario Court of Justice posted A Guide for Self-represented Family Litigants During COVID-19, which provides resources and guidance to litigants.

OCJ Update

A select number of courthouses across the province are currently scheduled to have some courtrooms reopen beginning July 6, as part of the Ministry of the Attorney General’s Phase 1 Reopening, 

OCJ July 2 Update

The OCJ issued a Notice to the Profession and the Public re Criminal Case Management Appearances and Setting Trial and Preliminary Inquiry Dates that provides a further update regarding court operations in the Ontario Court of Justice, relating to criminal case management appearances and setting criminal trial and preliminary inquiry dates. The Court will resume setting criminal trial and preliminary inquiry dates on July 6th, using the procedure and timeline set out in the Notice. 

Criminal Notice and Practice Direction Update (August 12, 2020)

On Monday August 17, 2020, the Court will begin scheduling out-of-custody cases adjourned due to COVID-19 in all court locations.  In addition, the Court has revised the Trial / Preliminary Inquiry Scheduling Form that is used to schedule hearings.  For more information, see Update regarding the Scheduling of Criminal Trials and Preliminary Inquiries