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Expanded Surety Declaration Pilot Project Protocol, effective April 13, 2026

The Ontario Court of Justice is beginning a pilot project that allows parties to use an “Expanded Surety Declaration” (instead of the existing Form 12 Surety Declaration). The Expanded Surety Declaration sets out more detailed information for the Court about a proposed surety and is aimed at reducing parties’ reliance on viva voce evidence from proposed sureties in bail hearings. The Expanded Surety Declaration Pilot Project Protocol is being launched in ten locations across the province. For more information,  see the Expanded Surety Declaration Pilot Project Protocol and the Expanded Surety Declaration Form.

New Bail Practice Direction, effective June 1, 2026

The Court has issued a new practice direction governing bail hearings in the Ontario Court of Justice, which will come into effect June 1, 2026. The Practice Direction sets out the Court’s expectations for bail proceedings, and in particular addresses: filing materials, time targets for hearings, and identification of complex bail matters. For more information, please see Ontario Court of Justice Practice Direction Regarding Bail Hearings. 

Jordan-Compliant Scheduling in Provincial Offences Act Matters Direction, effective March 30, 2026

This direction provides guidance to ensure matters are scheduled within the timelines required by the Supreme Court of Canada in R. v. Jordan. This replaces the previous scheduling direction (last updated in 2022). For more information see the  Jordan-Compliant Scheduling in Provincial Offences Act Matters Direction.

Provincial Offences Act Judicial Pre-Trial Practice Direction, effective March 30, 2026

This direction provides guidance to all participants to facilitate effective use of judicial pre-trials and ultimately to ensure matters proceed efficiently to trial and trial time is used effectively. For more information see the Provincial Offences Act Judicial Pre-Trial Practice Direction.