Regional Senior Justice Rosenberg updated the implementation of courtroom closures, limiting to 4 courtrooms today, to mimimize presence of staff, judicial officers and others. Efforts continue to maximize use of audio appearances for in custody matters and to move in person, in custody matters out of the building quickly. This is still a day to day adjusting operation and the goal remains to limit persons physically in the courthouse. This is a fluid situation changing rapidly and the goal being to get through today and each as best as possible

Duty counsel have been instructed not to personally attend the courthouse today and beyond until further notice. Duty counsel are available by email or phone but are awaiting direction as to mechanics of assistance with court operations. Further direction is anticipated over the weekend.

The Criminal Lawyers Association has arranged for lawyer members to attend in person to assist to the extent possible and within their personal discretion today.

All are advised to maintain physical distancing and to address anyone not complying and report same.

The Provincial crown is considering refusing to bring forward impaired driving cases for Stream A resolution as they view such requests as not urgent. There is resistance to this position given the lack of a legislative fix and at this point is only a consideration.

More updates anticipated over the weekend and to be addressed on a Monday morning conference call.

Sincerely

Norman Panzica

York Director, Criminal Lawyers Association