The judges and the justices of the peace of the Court preside over adult criminal, youth criminal, family law, child welfare, and provincial offences matters.
Criminal cases where charges are laid under the Criminal Code, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, Youth Criminal Justice Act and other federal statutes
Family cases, including child protection, adoption, cases involving decision-making responsibility, parenting time, contact, and support cases.
All cases laid under provincial legislation, including traffic offences, by-law offences and offences against environmental, health and safety, and employment standards legislation.
Re: Practice Direction: Jordan-Compliant Trial Scheduling
Effective March 17, 2025, the Court will be implementing the updated Practice Direction: Jordan-Compliant Trial Scheduling. Previous versions of the practice direction are available on the Archives section of the Ontario Court of Justice website.
Re: Judicial Criminal Pre-trial Best Practices
Effective March 17, 2025, the Court will be implementing the updated Judicial Criminal Pre-trial Best Practices. Previous versions of the practice direction are available on the Archives section of the Ontario Court of Justice website.
Bail Court Waiver of Appearance and Bring Forward Protocol Expanding to Kenora, Dryden and Sioux Lookout
Effective February 24, 2025, the Court’s Bail Court Waiver of Appearance and Bring Forward Protocol will be expanding to bail appearances in the Kenora, Dryden and Sioux Lookout courthouses from the Kenora District Jail. The protocol enhances access to fair and timely bail proceedings by reducing the number of administrative appearances in bail court. For more information, please see Practice Direction: Bail Court Waiver of Appearance and Bring Forward Protocol.
Appointment of new judges to the Ontario Court of Justice, effective January 30, 2025