News

Changes to the Criminal Rules effective June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

The Court has amended Criminal Rule 3.3, which deals with methods of serving and filing documents. For more information, see Criminal Rules of the Ontario Court of Justice.


Province-wide expansion of the 12-Week Adjournment Practice Direction, effective June 2, 2025

May 14, 2025

The12-Week Adjournment from First Appearance in Criminal Case Management Court for Counsel Matterswill be expanding province-wide as of June 2, 2025. In light of the province-wide expansion of the 12-week adjournment, the Enhanced Designation will be retired as of June 2, 2025. As of June 2, 2025, the Court will no longer accept Enhanced Designations.  


New Ontario Court of Justice – Toronto – Self-Represented Court pilot project, effective May 5, 2025

May 1, 2025

Beginning May 5, 2025, the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto will be launching a pilot project dedicated to self-represented accused personsFor more information see the Self-Represented Court – OCJ – Toronto Practice Direction.   


Public Statement by Ontario’s three Chief Justices regarding Judicial Independence, April 30, 2025

April 30, 2025

Three Ontario Courts Chiefs’ statement regarding Judicial Independence


Revised Serving and Filing Criminal Court Documents Practice Direction, effective June 2, 2025

April 22, 2025

The Court is revising its Serving and Filing Criminal Court Documents Practice Direction effective June 2, 2025. For more information see the Revised Serving and Filing Criminal Court Documents Practice Direction effective June 2, 2025. 


Changes to the Criminal Rules effective March 31, 2025

March 31, 2025

The Court has amended its Criminal Rules to clarify various provisions addressing Applications.  In addition, a new rule (Rule 1.4) addressing virtual (remote) appearances has been added.  Under Rule 1.4, the Court has issued a new Practice Direction:  Mode of Appearance for Ontario Court of Justice Criminal Proceedings.  These changes come into effect March 31, 2025.  For more information, see Criminal Rules of the Ontario Court of Justice. 


New Practice Direction governing the mode of appearance for criminal proceedings coming into effect March 31, 2025

March 20, 2025

The Court has issued a new Practice Direction governing the mode of appearance for criminal proceedings in the Ontario Court of Justice, which will come into effect March 31, 2025. For more information, please see Practice Direction:  Mode of Appearance for Ontario Court of Justice Criminal Proceedings. 


Appointment of new judges to the Ontario Court of Justice, effective June 16, 2025

June 10, 2025

New Judges Appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice


Appointment of new justices of the peace to the Ontario Court of Justice, effective May 14, 2025

May 12, 2025

New Justices of the Peace Appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice


Appointment of new judges to the Ontario Court of Justice, effective May 14, 2025

May 5, 2025

New Judges Appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice


Ontario Court of Justice