Ontario Court of Justice Update

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. 

On August 5, 2020, the Justice Services Online platform will expand, allowing the online submission of nearly 400 more types of civil and family law court documents. The new services, “Civil Submissions Online” and “Family Submissions Online,” will allow for the electronic submission of court documents at every step in a case for new or existing:

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.

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

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, 

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. 

On August 23, the pilot project authorizing out-of-court adjournments for Enhanced Designations of Counsel will launch in London.