Criminal — East Region

Effective date: June 30, 2025

This Practice Direction applies to all proceedings in the Superior Court of Justice, East Region, supersedes all previous region-specific Practice Directions and Notices to the Profession for the East Region. Counsel and parties are advised to refer to the relevant Parts of the Consolidated Provincial Practice Directions.

Note: This section contains content for multiple practice areas. Full text is included.

IN THE EAST REGION, SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE

Please note:

1. The Presumptive Modes of Hearing set out in this chart will apply throughout the Region unless an approved local directive states otherwise. Local notices may also provide greater detail. SCJ East Region Notices

2. In criminal matters where the accused is in custody, there are limitations on the capacity of provincial jails to accommodate virtual hearings. Bail reviews and other matters which are lengthy or outside of times that can be accommodated will be in-person.

3. In family matters in different court sites (e.g., Kingston, Cornwall, L’Orignal) trial management conferences normally have a settlement focus and will be in-person.

4. Virtual hearings are normally by videoconference, but may be by teleconference in some circumstances, e.g. – First Court Date Clerk (FCDC) court in Ottawa is by teleconference.

5. In-person hearings take place in a physical court room but may be hybrid hearings where certain participants appear virtually if approved in advance – e.g., witness or counsel.

6. Parties proposing a method of hearing other than the presumptive mode should be prepared to explain why the proposed method is necessary in the interests of justice. Parties requesting a change should have discussed the matter with the other party in advance.

7. Proceedings that require the formality, structure and control of a physical court room, proceedings where one or more parties do not have access to technology or proceedings such as contempt of court will be heard in-person in a physical court room.

8. In every case, the court retains complete discretion with regard to the mode of hearing, taking into account the views of the parties, availability of facilities and technology, geography, convenience, efficiency, the interests of justice and other relevant factors.

9. Should counsel, or the public, desire to deviate from the presumptive manner of hearing, they must make a request of the appropriate trial co-ordinator, or case management judge, when applicable, well in advance of the event. Any proposed deviation, whether on consent or disputed, will require judicial approval

10. These guidelines will be reviewed and revised as circumstances require.

11. Information regarding standard document naming protocols and the electronic filing of materials for Court and Court fee payments is contained in the Provincial Practice Direction: Documents MUST be electronically filed.

    PLEASE ENSURE STRICT COMPLIANCE WITH TIMELINES and COURT FILING DOCUMENT STANDARDS. Court documents which do not comply with these document standards, including the maximum length for such documents, will NOT be accepted (i) for filing; and (ii) shall not be uploaded to Case Center.

12. It is expected that written materials and documents for criminal, family and civil matters will be filed with the court electronically. If, however, a party is unable to file materials and documents electronically, they may file same in person at the courthouse filing office, together with an explanation of why electronic filing is not feasible.

13. Compendiums: Subject to Rule 4.05.3 (3.1), where counsel file more than thirty (30) pages of documentary evidence, whether by affidavit or otherwise, counsel must, in addition to the filing of such documentation, file a Compendium which shall contain only those documents and caselaw that counsel intend to refer to in argument.

14. Directions are provided in the Consolidated Provincial Practice Directions and in the Superior Court of Justice’s Guide to Requirements regarding uploading materials to Case Center. The Guide to Requirements can be found at the following link: Case Center in the Superior Court of Justice.

15. Failure to comply with the requirements may result in the hearing not proceeding as scheduled and, where appropriate, judicial sanctions and/or terms may be imposed.

16. Where there is a change in representation, or there is a change in contact information for counsel or a party, it is the responsibility of the parties (and former counsel), upon receipt of the Case Center invite to forward it to new counsel and/or the opposing party(ies)

17. Only court documents which have been accepted for filing may be uploaded to Case Center. A party who refers to a document which has not been properly filed with the court, shall bring same to the attention of the presiding judge.

18. When preparing factums, all references to caselaw shall be hyperlinked to an electronic database such as CanLII. The hyperlink must NOT be to another document which has been filed or submitted online but rather MUST be to an external URL and NOT password protected. Please see the following link: Case Center in the Superior Court of Justice. 1. When uploading endorsement sheets or draft orders to Case Center, it is not necessary to upload a pdf and word version. Please just upload a word version. Case Center permits a judicial officer to download a document in either a pdf version or in the original format.

19. This Part identifies scheduling and administrative changes to facilitate more expeditious and efficient litigation under the Rules of Civil Procedure.

20. A reference in this part to a “rule” or the “rules” is a reference to the Rules of Civil Procedure.

44. The East Region Commercial List is available throughout the East Region and there is no separate Registry or Filing Process. Notwithstanding Rule 13.1.01, an urgent Application or an urgent motion in an intended proceeding should be commenced in Ottawa and a file number obtained there but the proceeding may subsequently be transferred under Rule 13.1.02. A motion in an existing proceeding in Ottawa or any other centre, should be filed in the centre where the court file is located using the local file number. An Action may be commenced in Ottawa or any other centre in the East Region in the normal manner whether or not an urgent motion is contemplated.
45. Subject to any direction by the presiding judge, all documents in each proceeding will continue to be filed in the local court where the matter was commenced or to which it was subsequently transferred.
46. This direction does not affect the functioning of the regular Bankruptcy Lists.

54. This Part identifies scheduling and administrative changes to facilitate more expeditious and efficient litigation under the Family Law Rules.

55. Unless otherwise stated, this Part applies to allfamily proceedings.

56. A reference in this part to a “rule” or the “rules” is a reference to the Family Law Rules.

74. Each party to a conference or motion must file a fully completed Form 14C Confirmation of Motion or Form 17F Confirmation of Conference no later than 2 p.m. three business days before the motion or conference, except urgent motions that are being brought without notice to the other party do not need to be confirmed.
75. These may be filed at the Family Law Counter in the courthouse or filed using Justice Services Online.
76. The parties or their counsel should consult with each other prior to filing their Form 14C Confirmation of Motion/Form 17F Confirmation of Conference forms, unless the parties are self-represented and prohibited from communicating by court order or by a term of judicial release.
77. Where no Form 14C Confirmation of Motion or Form 17 Confirmation of Conference has been filed by any party, the conference or motion will be not be heard on that day. Costs may also be ordered against a party who has not filed a Confirmation.
78. Form 14C Confirmation of Motion or Form 17F Confirmation of Conference forms must only list the specific issues that are to be addressed at the event. They should also indicate which materials the judge should review with clear reference to the specific volume, tab, and page numbers of the Continuing Record. Failure to provide this information may result in the materials not being reviewed by the judge or the motion not being heard on that day.
79. Form 14C Confirmation of Motion or Form 17F Confirmation of Conference forms must also include an up-to-date time estimate for the entire motion or conference, including time required by the other party. Parties should not expect more time than originally requested nor will they be permitted more time than specified in the confirmation forms.
80. If the matter settles or the issues narrow or change parties are asked to notify the court’s trial coordinator as soon as possible.
81. Please click the link below to view filing practices for the respective court locations in the East Region. SCJ East Region Notices

94. Each of the forms prescribed under the Rules of Civil Procedure and the Family Law Rules are available on the Ontario Court Forms website.

95. You may visit the link to view practices for the respective court locations in the East Region and any local forms referenced –SCJ East Region Notices

    Civil Forms for Ottawa

96. All request forms for Ottawa are available here: Ottawa Civil Forms They are also available on the County of Carleton Law Association (CCLA) website at Civil Litigation – (ccla-abcc.ca).

    Calum MacLeod Regional Senior Justice Superior Court of Justice East Region

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