Family Law Rules

Family Court proceedings are heard at all Superior Court locations throughout the province. However, family law consists of statutes from both the federal and provincial jurisdictions. In 17 court locations in Ontario, the split jurisdiction has been unified so that the Family Court Branch of the Superior Court of Justice hears all family matters. In the remaining 33 locations, family law represents a significant portion of the overall workload of the Superior Court, but does not include proceedings that are governed by provincial statute such as child protection proceedings.

At sites where there is no Family Court branch of the Superior Court of Justice, family law matters governed by provincial law are heard by the Ontario Court of Justice. Under section 21.2(3) of the Courts of Justice Act, every judge of the Superior Court of Justice is also a judge of the Family Court.

Information

As of July 1, 2004 all family proceedings in Ontario are governed by the same Family Law Rules.

Superior Court of Justice Guide to Ontario Courts Home Search