The Protocol for the Resumption of Civil Proceedings, Meaning Civil Trials, Summary Judgment Motions, Long Motions, and Applications in the Central East Region was published today, September 17, 2020, and can be viewed here.
Virtual Case Management Update
This morning I took part in a conference call with the Newmarket Courthouse Committee, primarily to address anticipated issues arising from the move towards the Province wide Virtual Case Management protocol. Barrie court has already implemented the protocol. The new Virtual Case Management protocol is set to commence this Monday September 21, 2020.
Case management court operations will be an evolving process to be adjusted and refined after the initial few weeks. For the time being, the court will only deal with remands and perhaps simple withdrawals. Matters involving section 810 peace bonds and HTA pleas, which a Justice of the Peace can hear, will need to be adjourned to a "plea" court (i.e. 202 court) on another date, atleast for the time being.
Virtual Sign In Sheet - Calling the list
With respect to the use of a virtual sign in sheet to address an orderly and efficient mode of calling the list, an online sign up sheet is being used in other jurisdictions. As for Newmarket, and relying on the experience of other Courthouses, we are developing a Newmarket online sign up "sheet" with the assistance of David Moull and Sean Doyle, and hope to have it available shortly.
When the link is available I will send it out and ask Betty to post it on our website.
Zoom Calling v. Phone In (Audio)
Zoom calling is the preferred method for counsel to call into the virtual courtroom. The zoom call lets all know which counsel are waiting on the line. However an audio capability, currently in use, will still be available for the time being.
Virtual Case Management Court Notices
Door notices and hand outs for accused will be made available. With respect to bail matters, accused persons on release, will get zoom notice information, along with their Bail documents. For Police releases, Police will.provide the same notices with the accused's releases documents, and will include zoom info.
Virtual Courtroom Hours
Courtroom schedules will be posted. It is anticipated for the time being, that the case management courts will start a 9am. The schedule will permit addressing counsel matters from 9am to 10am. From 10am to 10:30 am, unrepresented accused will be addressed. After 1030, counsel can be addressed as they call in.
Morning, afternoon and lunch breaks will be strictly followed to ensure appropriate time for staff. Schedules for all courts will also be posted on doors.
Obtaining Crown Disclosure
The Office of the Crown Attorney will continue to email disclosure to counsel or accused directly, provided they have a secure email address. For audio and video disclosure, these can be picked up at the crown's office by appointment. The Newmarket crown attorney office is in the process of implementing the "evidence.com" platform used in other jurisdictions which will replace in person pick up of this disclosure.
New Arrests And Presumptive Remands
New arrests and presumptive remands are currently being addressed in 101 for this week only. It is anticipated to have one courtroom to address only presumptive remands and new arrests given the time experienced in some jurisdictions dealing with the high numbers of new arrests and the time required to address each new arrest. More to follow on this shortly.
Domestic and Youth lists Tuesday wed Thursday
Both Domestic and Youth courts will be addressed before a Judge, and not before a Justice of the Peace, given the historical nature of the operations of those courtrooms.
Sincerely,
Norman Panzica
The Federation of Ontario Law Association's weekly update is available here.
The resumption of in-person criminal hearings at Gore Bay, Orillia and Woodstock and of in-person family hearings in Gore Bay and Woodstock, which was delayed, will now proceed on September 16, 2020. See Notice to the Profession and the Public re: Criminal Trials and Preliminary Inquiries Resuming in the Ontario Court of Justice at Gore Bay, Orillia and Woodstock on September 16, 2020 and Notice to the Profession and the Public re: In-Person Family Matters Resuming in the Ontario Court of Justice at Woodstock and Gore Bay on September 16, 2020.
There are no updates to provide as of today. One issue that is currently under consideration is the development of a sign in sheet for efficiently calling matters in case management courts. This, along with other developments, should be coming shortly.
Courtroom Call In Information
416-212-8012 866-633-0848
100 Intake/Other matters #4942812
103 Bail #4674204
104 Bail #6532049
200 Remand/Plea #5467574
201 Remand/Plea #9851321
Trial Readiness Court at #5700492
Crown Assignments Week of September 15, 2020
Monday September 14
202P – Greg
Greg.J.Elder@ontario.ca
200 Court (judge) – Erin
Erin.Rizok2@ontario.ca
201 Court (judge) – Philip
Philip.Hsiung@ontario.ca
103 Bails - Ivana
Ivana.Denisov@ontario.ca
104 Bails – Samantha
Samantha.Peterson2@ontario.ca
Bail Vettors –
Elissa Elissa.Kulpers@ontario.ca
Brian Brian.McCallion@ontario.ca
Remote Duty Crown – Lucas
Lucas.O'Neill@ontario.ca
Trial courts – Tony, Nicole, Rob DC, Jacob, Phyllis
**Amy – Monday triage court
**Sham – assist Amy with Monday triage and SCJ Crown rest of week
**Peter and Thompson – murder all week except Thursday
Tuesday September 15
202P – Michael V.
Michael.Ventola@ontario.ca
200 Court (judge) – Jina
Jina.Lee@ontario.ca
201 Court (judge) – Michael D.
Michael.Demczur@ontario.ca
103 Bails - Neil
Anil.Singh2@ontario.ca
104 Bails – Tony
Tony.VandenEnde@ontario.ca
Remote Duty Crown – Rosanne
Rosanne.Choi@ontario.ca
Trial courts – Jeanaha, Nicole, Rob DC, Jacob
Wednesday September 16
202P – Nicole
Nicole.Murphy@ontario.ca
201 Court (judge) – Samantha
103 Bails – Neil
104 Bails – Philip
Kevin Kevin.Stewart@ontario.ca
Trial courts – Tony, Ivana (cover 102)
Thursday September 17
103 Bails – Samantha
Trial courts – Jacob, Phyllis (cover 102), Martin
Friday September 18
202P - Greg
103 Bails – Jeanaha
Jeanaha.Kim@ontario.ca
Gemma Gemma.Sang@ontario.ca
Trial courts – Nicole (cover 102)
York Director, Criminal Lawyers Association
This notice can be found on the OCJ's website here.
This notice can be viewed on the OCJ's website here.
The notice can be found on the OCJ's website here.
*This Notice supersedes previously announced notices.
Effective Date: 19 May 2020
Revised: 11 September 2020
Order Pusuant to s. 85 of the Provincial Offences Act (September 10, 2020) extending certain timelines
Limitation periods in Ontario have been suspended since March 16, 2020 pursuant to Ontario Regulation 73/20 made under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, RSO 1990, c E.9.
Limitation periods will resume running on Monday, September 14, 2020 in accordance with Ontario Regulations 457/20 and 458/20 made under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020, SO 2020, c 17.
As you may know, next week, 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. Please note that French translated versions will be available next week and, should you require them, please get in touch at MAGRecoverySecretariat@ontario.ca
In the interim, find attached:
COVID-19 Recommended Precautionary Measures: Jury Management Manual
These materials have been reviewed and endorsed by the government’s leading provincial health authorities in the Chief Medical Officer of Health’s office and the Ontario Ministry of Health and their guidance will continue to inform the precautionary measures that are (and that will be) implemented in both on and off-site jury locations.
In line with the health & safety precautionary measures the Recovery Secretariat has in place within our courthouses, our jury locations will also be outfitted with recommended precautionary measures including, but not limited to: hand sanitizer, plexiglass, physical distancing markers, and the provision of PPE, where required.
In addition, all entrants to jury events will be required to wear mandatory face coverings and will be required to complete an entrance screening check.
Katie W. Robinette
Executive Director
FOLA.ca
Need answers to COVID-19 issues regarding the practice of law? CLICK HERE.
York Region Law Association 50 Eagle St W, 3rd Floor Newmarket ON L3Y 6B1 905-895-2018 / 1-866-221-8864