Family
Family law cases are heard at all Superior Court locations across the province. However, the federal and provincial laws that apply to family law also determine which level of court handles specific family law issues. For instance, the Superior Court of Justice has sole jurisdiction to hear cases involving divorce, family property, and the matrimonial home, while child protection and adoption cases must be heard in the Ontario Court of Justice. Both courts hear cases involving parenting, financial support for spouses and children, and urgent safety issues.
Family Court Branch of the Superior Court of Justice
In 25 locations across Ontario, this split jurisdiction has been consolidated into a single court known as the Family Court. This specialized court, created by the Courts of Justice Act, is a branch of the Superior Court. At any of the 25 Family Court sites, all family law matters can be addressed within this unified court, including divorce, family property, the matrimonial home, parenting, child and spousal support, safety issues, child protection, and adoption.
