Ontario Court of Justice Update

  • March 22, 2024

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

OCJ: Enhanced Designation Pilot Expanded to College Park, October 4

The pilot project authorizing out-of-court adjournments for Enhanced Designations of Counsel will launch in College Park (Toronto) on October 4, 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. 

OCJ: Court to be Closed on September 30, 2021

The Ontario Courts have announced that they will be closed, except for certain matters that must be heard, on Thursday, September 30, in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. 

OCJ: Judge-led Intensive Case Management Courts

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.

OCJ: Message from Chief Justice Maisonneuve on remote proceedings, remote and in-person appearances as well as in-person hearings (August 3, 2021)

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.

OCJ: Criminal Proceedings - Enhanced Designation Pilot Expanding to Toronto East on August 9, 2021 and to Oshawa on August 16, 2021

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.