The Court has issued a new rule (Rule 3.4 of the Criminal Rules of the Ontario Court of Justice) authorizing the use of electronic signatures, which comes into force July 5, 2021.  Rule 3.4(1) sets out the definition of electronic signature.  Rule 3.4(2) authorizes the Court to issue practice directions authorizing additional methods of signing particular electronic documents.   Pursuant to this rule, a new provision (paragraph 10.1) has been added to the Practice Direction Authorizing Alternate Form of Appearance where an Enhanced Designation of Counsel has been Filed, allowing accused persons to sign Enhanced Designations through their counsel.