Ontario Court of Justice Update

On December 8, 2020, a regulation was filed to amend the Rules of Civil Procedure, O. Reg. 711-20. The regulation makes administrative amendments to align the Rules of Civil Procedure with legislative amendments that were introduced to remove the office of a traditional master. The amendments were made to the Courts of Justice Act through the Smarter and Stronger Justice Act, 2020, Schedule 5.

The Daily Court Lists website publishes the daily court lists for both the OCJ and SCJ. This website provides information about case names, as well as the time, location, and reasons for court appearances. As of December 7, 2020, two changes have been made to this website:

The OCJ announced that virtual criminal case management courts will launch in additional locations in the coming weeks:

The OCJ has issued a Message re COVID-19 regarding COVID-19 that includes encouraging judicial officials, parties and counsel to actively explore whether all, or any portion, of trials or other hearings that would otherwise be in person can be conducted using remote technology, and to be accommodating of such requests from opposing counsel or parties.

The Ministry of the Attorney General’s senior executive table (MAG MAG) recently convened to discuss the resumption of in-person operations at several ‘satellite’ court locations across the province.

The OCJ has issued a new Notice to the Profession and the Public regarding criminal case management appearances. Previous OCJ Notices stipulating that criminal case management appearances will be adjourned for five weeks (with a discretionary bench warrant if the accused person does not appear) will end on November 27, 2020. As of November 30, 2020, all accused persons will be required to attend their scheduled appearances in criminal case management court.

The OCJ has issued a new Notice regarding the resumption of in-person family law proceedings in the Northeast and Northwest regions. Beginning on November 30, 2020:

The OCJ has amended its October 22nd Notice regarding virtual criminal case management courts. New dates and locations have been added for the implementation of virtual criminal cases management appearances.

The OCJ has announced that in-person criminal trials and preliminary inquiries in the Ontario Court of Justice will resume on November 30, 2020 at the following locations: Alexandria, Bradford, Elliot Lake, Kirkland Lake, Picton, Red Lake, and Sioux Lookout.

MAG has advised that on Nov. 14-15, 2020, Weekend and Statutory Holiday (WASH) courts will be held at 2201 Finch Avenue West, Toronto. The WASH courts will move back to Toronto’s Old City Hall on Nov. 21, 2020. For more information, please call 416-314-3962.