News
Expanded Surety Declaration Pilot Project Protocol, effective April 13, 2026
April 7, 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.
Practice Direction regarding the Integrated Domestic Violence Court, effective, April 2, 2026
April 2, 2026
Effective April 2, 2026, criminal intimate partner violence cases with family law cases at the Ontario Court of Justice will be scheduled in the Integrated Domestic Violence Court at 10 Armoury St, Toronto. For more information, see Practice Direction regarding the Integrated Domestic Violence Court.
New Bail Practice Direction, effective June 1, 2026
March 30, 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
March 25, 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
March 25, 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.
Oshawa Courthouse Streamlined Case Management Pilot Project Protocol, effective March 2, 2026
March 2, 2026
Effective March 2, 2026, the Ontario Court of Justice – Oshawa is beginning a Streamlined Case Management Pilot Project. The goal of streamlined case management is to create a more user-friendly and people-focused case management phase, in which administrative steps are conducted outside of the courtroom. For more information see the Oshawa Streamlined Case Management Protocol.
Appointment of new judges to the Ontario Court of Justice, effective March 26, 2026
March 17, 2026
New Judges Appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice
Appointment of new judges to the Ontario Court of Justice, effective February 26, 2026
February 18, 2026
New Judges Appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice
Appointment of new Regional Senior Justice of the Peace to the Ontario Court of Justice, effective April 2, 2026
February 18, 2026
New Regional Senior Justice of the Peace Appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice
Appointment of new judges to the Ontario Court of Justice, effective January 29, 2026
January 20, 2026
New Judges Appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice