ONTARIO's COURTS
REOPENING PLANS - ONTARIO'S COURTS
REOPENING PLANS - ONTARIO'S COURTS
REOPENING PLANS - ONTARIO'S COURTS
WONDERING WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN VISITING A COURTHOUSE?
Get pre-screened here (requirement)!
MAG GUIDEBOOK-PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES FOR REOPENING COURTS;
and this:
and this: VIDEO
(the Guidebook is a living document and may continue to be updated over time)
OCJ REMOTE HEARINGS
To help to ensure that remote hearings run effectively, the Court is publishing Guidelines for Conducting Remote Hearings in the Ontario Court of Justice. The Guidelines provide best practices for remote hearings.
For technical information about participating in a Zoom hearing, please see the ZOOM User Guide for Remote Hearings in the Ontario Court of Justice.
For technical information about participating in a JVN hearing, please see the JVN WebRTC Manual and JVN WebRTC Troubleshooting Tips.
RECOVERY SECRETARIAT
On June 19, 2020, Ontario's Recovery Secretariat hosted a virtual town halls on COVID-19 safety and the reopening of Ontario's Courts.
The town hall offered an overview of MAG's phased, gradual and responsive plan for court recovery, which aligns with the Framework for Reopening Our Province.
Here are materials from the town hall and information session:
- Town hall presentation
- COVID-19 safety seminar presentations from Dr. Michelle Murti
- COVID-19 safety seminar presentations from Ron Kelusky
- Overview of the Public Services Health and Safety Association’s role in court recovery
NEW!! Online tool for searching information about criminal and civil matters in the SCJ
*you will need a ONe-Key account
COVID-19 COURT NOTICES
REOPENING PLANS - ONTARIO'S COURTS
REOPENING PLANS - ONTARIO'S COURTS
DISCOUNT RATE - CALL FOR COMMENT
BEST PRACTICES FOR REMOTE HEARINGS, DISCOVERIES, & MEDIATIONS
BEST PRACTICES FOR REMOTE HEARINGS, DISCOVERIES, & MEDIATIONS
The report of the discount rate subcommittee of the Civil Rules Committee dated April 27, 2020 and entitled “ Report to the Civil Rules Committee on rules 53.09 and 53.10” is now available on the Court of Appeal’s website,
The report was prepared by the discount rate subcommittee to assist the Civil Rules Committee in its quadrennial review in accordance with s.66(4) of the Courts of Justice Act of the following:
1. the discount rate to be used in determining the amount of an award in respect of future pecuniary damages;
2. the method of calculating the amount to be included in an award of damages to offset any liability for income tax on income from investment of the award;
3. the prejudgment interest rate with respect to the rate of interest on damages for non-pecuniary loss.
COA REVIEW: Report of the Discount rate Sub-committee of the Civil Rules Committee
BEST PRACTICES FOR REMOTE HEARINGS, DISCOVERIES, & MEDIATIONS
BEST PRACTICES FOR REMOTE HEARINGS, DISCOVERIES, & MEDIATIONS
BEST PRACTICES FOR REMOTE HEARINGS, DISCOVERIES, & MEDIATIONS
In April 2020, FOLA, along with the Advocates’ Society, the Ontario Bar Association, and the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association, created the joint E-Hearings Task Force to review technologies that can help ensure Ontario’s justice system continue to function during and following the coronavirus pandemic.
On May 13, 2020, the e-Hearings Taskforce released some helpful documents (linked below) on best practices to help provide guidance to anyone who is considering preparing for and participating in a remote hearing.
- The Best Practices for Remote Hearings;
- The Overview of the Best Practices for Remote Hearings;
- Checklist – Preparing Your System for a Remote Hearing;
- Checklist – Counsel Preparation in Advance of Meeting with Adjudicator;
- Checklist of Matters to Consider Reviewing with Judge in Advance of Hearing
FRENCH VERSIONS
- Pratiques exemplaires pour les audiences tenues à distance;
- Aperçu des pratiques exemplaires pour les audiences tenues à distance;
- Liste de contrôle: Préparation de votre système pour une audience à distance;
- Liste de contrôle: Préparation de l’avocat avant la rencontre avec le décideur;
- Liste de contrôle: Questions à examiner avec le juge avant l’audience
WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK!
If you've participated in a remote hearing and have some additional suggestions, we'd love to hear them! Please email Katie Robinette at katie.robinette@fola.ca and put "REMOTE HEARINGS" in the subject line.
Best Practices for Remote Examinations for Discovery & Best Practices for Remote Mediations
The OTLA prepared a submission to the Courts and MAG regarding the Modernization of Ontario's Civil Justice System. Chapter 4 covers: Best Practices for Remote Examinations for Discovery
Chapter 5 covers: Best Practices for Remote Mediations
You can download the report here.
COURT NOTICES: COVID-19
ONTARIO COURT OF JUSTICE
COURT OF APPEAL FOR ONTARIO
SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE
QUICK LINKS
Notice to Public Regarding Provincial Offences Act Matters (Oct 14, 2020) 1
Notice to the Public Regarding POA Matters (Oct 14, 2020) 2
About Criminal Proceedings in the OCJ (Updated September 17, 2020)
About Family Proceedings in the OCJ (Updated September 18, 2020)
About Provincial Offences Act Proceedings in the OCJ (Updated September 11, 2020)
General Information: COVID-19 Procedures and Scheduling
Notices and Info about Criminal Proceedings
Notices and Info about Family Proceedings
Notices and Info about Provincial Offences Act Proceedings
SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE
COURT OF APPEAL FOR ONTARIO
SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE
PROVINCIAL NOTICES
The Small Claims Court has updated its Consolidated Notice to the Profession and Public
1. The Court is lifting the date range limiting the previously scheduled settlement conferences it will hear remotely at the request of one party.
2. There is now information about the re-opening of Small Claims Court counter service.
SCJ Consolidated Notice to the Profession, Litigants, Accused Persons, Public and the Media provides for an electronic process to apply for a Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee (Oct 6)
Supplementary Notice to the Profession and Litigants in Civil and Family Matters Including Electronic Filings and Document Sharing (Caselines Pilot) (September 2, 2020)
Notice to Profession for Appeals from the Landlord and Tenant Board in the Divisional Court (Effective August 24, 2020)
Notice Regarding the Suspension of Small Claims Court Operations (August 26, 2020)
Memorandum – Chief Justice Morawetz to all Associations Re: Caselines (July 29, 2020)
Notice to the Profession re: Justice Participants Unable to attend In-Court Hearings in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (July 21, 2020)
Notice to the Profession – Divisional Court (June 29, 2020)
Notice to the Profession, Litigants, Accused, Media and Members of the Public (June 25, 2020)
Consolidated Notice to the Profession, Litigants, Accused Persons, Public and the Media: Effective May 19, 2020 (May 13, 2020)
Notice Re Urgent Matters Emailed to Trial Co-Ordinators (March 24, 2020)
COURT OF APPEAL FOR ONTARIO
COURT OF APPEAL FOR ONTARIO
COURT OF APPEAL FOR ONTARIO
PRACTICE DIRECTIONS & NOTICES REGARDING COVID-19
NOTE: All limitation and procedural time periods that were previously suspended pursuant to O. Reg. 73/20 have resumed. For further information, please see the government's news release and O. Reg. 457/20. Procedural time periods that were previously suspended in the Court of Appeal already resumed running on Thursday, July 16, 2020. For information on the resumption of time periods at the Court of Appeal, please see the Practice Directions and Notices regarding COVID-19.
Amended Practice Direction Regarding the Electronic Conduct of Matters During the COVID-19 Emergency (PDF) (July 13, 2020)
Notice Regarding Videconference Appearance Technology (Zoom) (July 6, 2020)
Practice Direction Concerning the Reinstatement of Times Prescribed in Criminal Proceedings in the Court of Appeal for Ontario (PDF) (June 25, 2020)
Practice Direction Concerning the Reinstatement of Times Prescribed in Civil Proceedings in the Court of Appeal for Ontario (PDF) (June 25, 2020)
Practice Direction Concerning the Reinstatement of Times Prescribed in Proceedings Arising Under the Provincial Offences Act in the Court of Appeal for Ontario (PDF) (June 25, 2020)
Practice Direction Concerning Revised Court of Appeal Release Order Form for Use Only During the Exceptional and Evolving Circumstances Concerning COVID-19 (PDF) (April 20, 2020)
Practice Direction Concerning Applications for Bail Pending Appeal at the Court of Appeal for Ontario Given the Exceptional and Evolving Circumstances Concerning COVID-19 (PDF) (April 5, 2020)
Notice Regarding Videoconference and Teleconference Appearance Technology (CourtCall) (March 27, 2020)
Notice of Public Counter Services (March 23, 2020)
JURY TRIALS
RESUMPTION OF JURY TRIALS
Jury selection and trials are scheduled in Brampton, Toronto and Hamilton. In Brampton, the Pearson Convention Centre, and in Toronto, the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, are being prepared to support jury selection. In Hamilton, selection will occur on-site at the Hamilton courthouse. Trials at all three locations will be held on-site at each courthouse.
To best ensure the health and safety of all participants (individuals summoned to a jury panel, jurors, the judiciary, parties to the proceeding, and court staff and management, the Recovery Secretariat has developed the attached jury recovery guidance materials.
COVID-19 Recommended Precautionary Measures: Jury Management Manual
Supplementary COVID-19 Guidance for Off-Site Court Locations
To request French translated versions, please get in touch at MAGRecoverySecretariat@ontario.ca
VIDEO TOUR - COURTHOUSE SAFETY MEASURES
A video tour by the Ontario Government showing lawyers and clients what to expect as they re-enter Courthouses and Courtrooms.