Justice partners, members of the bar and media,

To protect all court users during the COVID-19 crisis, all but urgent hearings in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (SCJ) were suspended, effective March 17, 2020. Today, Chief Justice Morawetz and all eight Regional Senior Justices issued new Notices to the Profession.  They expand the SCJ’s virtual court operations in each region, effective April 6, 2020. 

Attached are two Provincial Notices to the Profession from Chief Justice Morawetz (Criminal and Civil/Family).  They address a variety of issues including emailing material to the court, service by email, media access to court proceedings, and gowning.  They include links to the eight Regional Notices to the Profession. The eight Regional Notices identify which matters may be heard in each region, and the process to have a matter heard. 

Also attached is a memo from the Office of the Chief Justice that provides a summary of the Notices to the Profession issued today, for information purposes only.

All SCJ Notices to the Profession relating to COVID-19 may be accessed at: https://www.ontariocourts.ca/scj/notices-and-orders-covid-19/ or on FOLA’s website.

Katie W. Robinette, Executive Director, FOLA.ca, 647-280-9340

Need answers to COVID-19 issues regarding the practice of law?  CLICK HERE.