Ontario Court of Justice Update

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.

The Ontario Court of Justice is suspending all criminal trials and preliminary inquiries involving out-of-custody accused persons scheduled between Monday April 26, 2021 and Friday May 7, 2021, subject to a judge seized with a continuing matter ordering otherwise.

The OCJ is suspending all criminal trials and preliminary inquiries involving out-of-custody accused persons scheduled between April 26, 2021 and May 7, 2021, subject to a judge seized with a continuing matter ordering otherwise. Other criminal matters involving out of custody accused persons may proceed as scheduled. All matters involving in-custody accused persons may also proceed as scheduled. For more information, please see the Notice.

The OCJ will adjourn all family and Child, Youth, and Family Services Act trials (including in-person, hybrid, and remote trials) scheduled between April 26 to May 7, 2021. Counsel and parties should not attend Court for these types of trials during this period. The Court is committed to facilitating proceedings by remote technology where possible, unless an in-person hearing is required to ensure meaningful access to justice. For more information please see the Notice.