Ontario Court of Justice Update

To address the large backlog of cases in the Ontario Court of Justice case management courts arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Court is establishing a new case management court – the Judge-led Intensive Case Management Court (JICMC) – in every base court location across the province. The JICMCs will supplement and assist the permanent (“regular”) case management courts already operating at each court location.

The pilot project authorizing out-of-court adjournments for Enhanced Designations of Counsel will launch in Guelph on August 30, 2021.   In the pilot, accused persons whose counsel have filed an Enhanced Designation of Counsel may have their matters adjourned to the next court date without the matter being addressed in court. 

Chief Justice Maisonneuve announced on August 3, 2021 that the Court and justice partners have developed creative new ways to provide access to justice during the pandemic.  Important innovations have streamlined access to the justice system and court services.  The Court and court users have benefited form these innovations and the Court will continue to use remote proceedings, in-person appearances or a combination of remote and in-person appearances.

The pilot project authorizing out-of-court adjournments for Enhanced Designations of Counsel will launch in Toronto East (1911 Eglinton Avenue East) on August 9, 2021 and in Oshawa on August 16, 2021.   In the pilot, accused persons whose counsel have filed an Enhanced Designation of Counsel may have their matters adjourned to the next court date without the matter being addressed in court. 

Effective July 19, 2021, the Ontario Court of Justice will resume accepting applications for s. 810 Criminal Code peace bonds, province-wide.

The Ministry of Attorney General has announced that Midland Satellite Court at 605 Yonge St., Midland, Ontario will resume in person operations to support jury matters scheduled in Barrie. 

The Ministry of Attorney General Recovery Secretariat has advised that the Midland Satellite Court at 605 Yonge St., Midland has been endorsed to resume operations.

The reduction of out-of-custody trials and preliminary inquiries has been extended to May 21. However, starting May 10, virtual out of custody trials and preliminary inquiries may proceed.

The OCJ has updated its Bail Protocol (introduced in May 2020). These revisions serve to clarify and reinforce the Protocol’s objectives of ensuring that bail proceedings are conducted justly and efficiently. For more information, please see the Protocol.

All family and Child, Youth and Family Services Act trials, including in-person, hybrid or remote trials, scheduled from April 26, 2021 to May 7, 2021 will be adjourned. Therefore, do not attend court if you have a family or Child, Youth and Family Services Act court trial in the Ontario Court of Justice scheduled between Monday April 26, 2021 and May 7, 2021. Parties with a trial scheduled during these dates will be adjourned to the next audit date or assignment court.