Resources, Articles, & Advocacy
News | October 23, 2026
Nominate a deserving colleague for an OBA Award
Each year, the Ontario Bar Association honours individuals and organizations whose leadership, service and accomplishments have made a meaningful and lasting impact on our profession, our association and the broader justice community. These awards shine a light on the people who go above and beyond to strengthen the legal profession, advance access to justice, support their colleagues and build a better justice system.
Advocacy | October 12, 2026
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of October 12
Toronto Written Consent Release Pilot Project: Effective October 19th, the Ontario Court of Justice is beginning a pilot project in Toronto that allows for out of Court written consent release orders to be issued by Judicial Officers for individuals in bail Court, who are seeking a straightforward bail release on consent of the Crown’s office.
Legislative Update | October 02, 2026
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of September 28
Ontario Judicial Appointments: The Honourable Sean Fraser, announced eight judicial appointments to the Court of Appeal of Ontario and Superior Court of Justice of Ontario. The appointments were done under the judicial application process established in 2016, emphasizing transparency, merit, and the diversity of the Canadian population.
Submission | October 01, 2026
Family Law Arbitrator Training
The OBA provides feedback to the Ministry of the Attorney General (“MAG”) on the required training for family law arbitrators. Our comments intend to help the Ministry better understand how to update training requirements regarding screening for intimate partner violence (IPV) and power imbalances in the context of family arbitrations.
Legislative Update | September 25, 2026
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of September 21
Starlink Costs: Ontario’s new Treasury Board President, Kinga Surma, declined to disclose how much the Ford government spent cancelling its $100 million agreement with Elon Musk’s Starlink internet service. When asked, Surma said, “the decision remained with the taxpayer, that was a big component of our election and the people voted to cancel the contract,” explaining that the government will “continue to move forward with [their] broadband strategy.”
Legislative Update | September 18, 2026
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of September 14
New Judicial Vacancies: There are currently several active priority vacancies in the Ontario Court of Justice, including Cornwall, Eliot Lake, Pembroke, Thunder Bay and Timmins. Candidates who wish to be considered for a judicial appointment are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.
Submission | September 04, 2026
Family Law Arbitrator Training
The OBA provides feedback to the Ministry of the Attorney General (“MAG”) on the required training for family law arbitrators. Our comments intend to help the Ministry better understand how to update training requirements regarding screening for intimate partner violence (IPV) and power imbalances in the context of family arbitrations.
Article | September 02, 2026
What Keeps Me Up at Night and What Keeps Me in Family Law
This past July, the OBA’s Family Law Section Executive held its annual planning and insights meeting to help prepare for the year ahead. One of the questions we were asked was: What issues keep you up at night? As someone who has struggled with insomnia for basically my entire adult life, this wasn’t a straightforward question. But it did get me thinking about some of the serious challenges facing family lawyers today. This is not my typical research-heavy article. Instead, I wanted to share some of my reflections on my top three issues.
Superior Court of Justice | September 01, 2026
Notice to the Public and Profession Regarding an Update to the Consolidated Practice Direction for the Central South Region
The Consolidated Practice Direction for the Central South Region effective on December 2, 2025, has been updated as of August 21, 2026.
Legislative Update | August 10, 2026
Your OBA LegUp Policy and Legislative Update Week of August 3
Provincial By-Elections: Premier Ford has called byelections in three Ontario ridings: Scarborough Southwest, York–Simcoe and Hamilton East–Stoney Creek. The voting day will be on Sept. 3.
