Ontario Court of Justice - West Region

  • August 25, 2021

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

HEALTH INFORMATION UPDATE – LONDON COURTHOUSE

On August 25, 2021 MAG was informed that an OPS person who attended the building was diagnosed as having a probable case of COVID-19. View Memo

OCJ (Provincial Offences Act Matters): Sept 10th Update

The OCJ has issued an Order pursuant to s. 85 of the Provincial Offences Act to extend certain time periods for proceedings in the OCJ. This Order supersedes the Order made on March 15, 2020 extending timelines under the Provincial Offences Act until April 23, 2020. The time limits prescribed by the following provisions are extended until December 1, 2020.

OCJ: Update on Provincial Offences Act Matters

The OCJ has revised its May 19th Notice to Counsel/Paralegals and the Public regarding Provincial Offences Act matters. In-person proceedings will not be conducted for Provincial Offences Act matters until at least October 19, 2020. However, Provincial Offences Act matters may proceed remotely beginning on September 28, 2020. Judicial pre-trials and early resolution guilty pleas may also be held remotely. 

OCJ Notice to the Profession regarding Resumption of Criminal Trials and Preliminary Hearings

As of September 14, 2020, trials and preliminary hearings will resume at select OCJ courthouses in the Central East, Central West, East, Northeast, Northwest and West regions. The Notice also outlines specific protocols for filing application materials, witnesses and the establishment of the special COVID-19 Trial Readiness Courts. For more information, see the Notice here.

OCJ Remote Hearings Guidelines 

On August 24, the OCJ published the Guidelines for Conducting Remote Hearings in the Ontario Court of Justice as well as a User Guide for remote hearings conducted by Zoom, and a Manual and Troubleshooting Tips Sheet for remote hearings conducted on the Justice Video Network WebRTC platform.

OCJ Virtual Criminal Case Management Notice

The OCJ has issued a Notice outlining the process for upcoming virtual criminal case management appearances. The Notice also includes courthouse-specific scheduling and connection information.

OCJ: Update on Family Matters

The OCJ has issued a new Notice regarding the scheduling of family matters, effective September 2, 2020. This Notice supersedes all previously announces notices. All limitation and procedural time periods that were previously suspended pursuant to O. Reg. 73/20 will resume running on Monday, September 14, 2020.

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.

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