This is an update on the planned reopening of Ontario courthouses on July 6th. The OBA wrote to the Ministry of the Attorney General’s Recovery Secretariat to advocate for safety, transparency, effective communication to the profession and the public about what to expect and how to prepare for court attendance, as well as the need for a system of rapid identification, communication and response if health and safety, procedural or other concerns arise. We continue to offer and provide support for alternatives to in-person proceedings as well. If you have questions or encounter issues, you can email us at courtsreopen@oba.org and we will communicate the issues to the courts and government in order to effect quick solutions and provide answers to our members.
There are ongoing conversations among decision-makers and stakeholders regarding the planned reopening of the courts on Monday. In addition, the Ministry advises that it:
“has created a health and safety checklist to verify that the appropriate measures, based on the site assessment recommendations, have been implemented in each court location. This review will inform the decision on whether a court location should open and whether any conditions should apply. Those checks are happening now."
We understand reviews were being conducted today and we will continue to update you as final determinations are made and as we learn of any changes.
In the meantime, we wanted to provide you with updated information from the Ministry of the Attorney General on what steps they are taking and what to expect if you are attending a courthouse next week.
This afternoon, MAG provided guidance on filing material, including the hours of operation at court counters starting Monday. Electronic filing, as outlined in the notice, continues to be strongly encouraged.
The Deputy Attorney General provided the following guides and related information this morning on courthouse preparations and attendance protocols and processes.
Revised Guidebook
This updated guidebook replaces earlier versions you may have previously reviewed. It now contains updated information about face coverings and PPE, the provision of gloves, enforcement and monitoring and our court entry screening tool.
Employee Handbook
This additional resource has been created with our staff in mind to provide information and guidance in preparation for the resumption of in-person court operations.
Court Entrance Screening Tool
As many of you will know, we have identified a COVID-19 screening tool which all persons who enter a courthouse, including staff and judiciary, will need to complete. This protocol was implemented following a recommendation made in the site assessments and is in alignment with guidance provided by Public Health Ontario. The screening tool will be available for completion online, in paper-based format, and verbally where required.
Individuals who need to attend court can complete the screening assessment:
- In advance of arriving at court by following this URL link (which will be live on July 6, 2020), and by completing the questionnaire (recommended method). The appropriate links are provided below:
- Upon arriving at the courthouse, by using their mobile device to scan a Quick Response Code (QR-Code) which will lead people to complete the questionnaire.
- At the courthouse, completing a paper-based or verbal screening, if required.
All courthouse visitors will be required to complete this screening process and confirm their results with designated screening personnel as they enter the courthouse. Individuals who are deemed inadmissible through the screening will be redirected to alternative processes. Individuals should keep their result handy for the day, to facilitate exit and re-entry to the courthouse without having to complete the questionnaire multiple times. While an individual’s answers to the screening questions will inform the result, the screening tool does not retain any personal information.