Ontario family law matters are heard at first instance in the Superior Court of Justice, the Family Branch of the Superior Court of Justice, and the Ontario Court of Justice. The resources in this section are for these courts and include other helpful court-related resources. There are links to the My Ontario Account, Justice Services Online and Case Center. As well, this section also has links to important government-related agencies: the Office of the Children's Lawyer, the Public Guardian and Trustee, the Family Responsibility Office and Legal Aid Ontario.
Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Family Proceedings: This page provides information on family proceedings at the Superior Court of Justice, family court sites, family court services, legislation and forms, family law list of cases and other helpful resources.
Ontario Court of Justice, Family Court Overview: This page provides information on the court process, finding particular case details, court contacts and useful resources. The main Ontario Court of Justice page, under the "Family" tab, also provides links to information on support enforcement and practice directions, notices and guidelines.
The following resources may be helpful to family law practitioners heading to court.
Court Calculator, Disclosure Clinic: The Court Calculator determines the dates for various court actions in accordance with the Family Law Rules, accounting for weekends and holidays. It also lists the materials required to complete or update for a party's attendance.
Court Notice Finder: This website tracks the differences among the court notices for family law courthouses across Ontario since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Government of Ontario, Court Services, Family Law Rules Forms
Government of Ontario, Court Services, Family Law Rules Forms, Standard Clauses
A My Ontario Account is required to access the Ministry of Attorney General's Justice Services Online platform, which is used to file documents with the court.
Government of Ontario, My Ontario Account -- Help
Government of Ontario, File Family Court Documents Online
How to Set Up Your My Ontario Account and Justice Service Online (JSO) Profile
Case Center (formerly CaseLines), by Thomson Reuters, is a document-sharing platform used by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Justice. Parties may be required to upload electronic copies of their court documents to Case Center. Documents uploaded to Case Center can by reviewed by all participants both before and during a court hearing, whether the hearing is virtual or in person. Case Center does not replace the filing of documents with the court.
Resources from the Courts
Superior Court of Justice, Case Center in the Superior Court of Justice: A Guide to Requirements
Superior Court of Justice, Case Center Hearings – Tips for Counsel and Self-Represented Parties
Ontario Court of Justice, Case Center for Domestic Family Matters in the Ontario Court of Justice
Ontario Court of Justice, Case Center Hearings Tips for Counsel and Self-represented Parties
Ontario Court of Justice, Case Center Instructional Video for Family Court Lawyers and Parties
Ontario Court of Justice, Case Center Tips for Unrepresented Litigants
Resources from Thomson Reuters
Ontario Courts Case Center Support
Case Center Training Resources for Self-Represented Litigants
The following are government or government-related agencies whose services family law litigants may require.
Office of the Children’s Lawyer: The Office of the Children’s Lawyer delivers services and programs to support children. It operates under the Ministry of the Attorney General but independently as a law office.
Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee: The Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee provides services to safeguard the legal, personal and financial interests of, among others, minors involved in a lawsuit and mentally incapable Ontarians.
Family Responsibility Office: The Family Responsibility Office helps Ontarians pay and receive spousal and child support.
Legal Aid Ontario: Legal Aid Ontario offers legal assistance to financially eligible Ontarians for family law matters.