The Superior Court of Justice recognizes that the news media plays an essential role in informing the public about Ontario’s justice system. However, while it is committed to the open court principle, the Court may in some cases limit the openness of a court proceeding and, thus, the extent to which the media can report on it. For example, the Court may order such a limit where it is necessary to preserve the fairness or integrity of a court proceeding, to safeguard the privacy or safety of a victim or witness, or to protect the identity of a child or youth. This limit may take the form of a publication ban, an order sealing all or part of a court file, an order excluding the public from a hearing, or the anonymization of party or witness’s name. 

Further to the Superior Court of Justice’s Practice Directions, parties seeking a discretionary publication ban are required to notify the media of their request through the Court’s Media Notification List. Additionally, the Court will decide on a case-by-case basis whether parties seeking any other limit on the open court principle should be required to notify the media through the Court’s Media Notification List. Members of the media wishing to receive copies of the notices sent through the Court’s notification system should use the Request to be added to Superior Court of Justice Media Notification List form.