← LibrarySource sectionCase Center guides, requirements and help
Source checked2026-08-08
Related explanationCourtSuperior Court of Justice — family cases
Court: Superior Court of Justice
The Superior Court of Justice hears family-law matters including divorce and family-property claims, as well as parenting, support and other family issues within its jurisdiction.
The Superior Court of Justice is Ontario’s higher trial court. In family law it has jurisdiction over divorce and property claims and can also deal with parenting, contact, child and spousal support, restraining orders and other family matters. At designated Family Court branch locations, the court operates as a unified family court and can also deal with matters such as child protection and adoption.
SCJ family procedure is governed by the Family Law Rules, applicable legislation and court orders, together with the province-wide family practice direction and the practice direction for the judicial region where the case is heard. Filing, Case Center, confirmation, hearing-mode and scheduling requirements can therefore depend on both the type of step and the court location.
What this source covers
The Superior Court Case Center hub provides current instructions, uploading requirements, access help and practical guidance for electronic hearing documents.
For exact wording, dates, exceptions and current requirements, read the original source. Binding law and court directions take priority over explanatory material.
Open the official source ↗Law and rulesRelated official provisions
Binding law / official textConsolidated Provincial Practice Direction for Family Proceedings
Part C — : Case Center
Case Center is an online platform where judges, parties and court staff view electronic documents for court hearings. This Part sets out requirements specific to family hearings using Case Center.
Information on Case Center, including how to access Case Center, upload to Case Center, use Case Center effectively during court appearances and access support for Case Center, is available on the Superior Court of Justice's website here .
The following directions regarding Case Center do not apply in the Toronto Region. Counsel and parties must refer to the Consolidated Practice Direction for the Toronto Region for information about using the Ontario Court Public Portal.
1. Uploading to Case Center
Uploading a document to Case Center does not constitute filing of the document. Unless the court orders or a practice direction provides otherwise, only documents already filed with the court may be uploaded to Case Center. See Part A(1) for directions on online filing.…
Ontario Superior Court of JusticeSuperior Court of Justice — province-wide
Open official source ↗Binding law / official textToronto Region Practice Direction
Part III — of the Substitute Decisions Act, 1992 sets out the procedure and filing requirements for an application to appoint one or more guardians of an incapable adult. Part III of the Childrenâs Law Reform Act  sets out the procedure and filing requirements for an application to appoint one or more guardians of a minor. In addition, the general requirements of Rule 38 governing applications apply to applications to appoint guardians.
Subject to paragraph 30 below, an application for the appointment of a guardian under the Substitute Decisions Act, 1992 or the Childrenâs Law Reform Act should be commenced by filing a notice of application using the Ontario Courts Public Portal  or in person at the Toronto Estates Office counter. In the Estates List Confirmation Form , applicants should advise the court of the expected length of time required for the application to be heard, which should not be less than 30 minutes, and whether the application is opposed or unopposed.
If an individual is alleged to be incapable of managing property, and a claim for damages for personal injury is contemplated or a personal injury action has been commenced but not resolved, a guardianship application in respect of such individual may be brought on the Estates List.…
Ontario Superior Court of JusticeSuperior Court of Justice — Toronto
Open official source ↗Binding law / official textFamily Law Rules
Rule 39 — CASE MANAGEMENT IN FAMILY COURT OF SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE
39. Case management in Family Court of Superior Court of Justice
Government of OntarioO. Reg. 114/99
Open official source ↗Binding law / official textFamily Law Rules
Rule 41 — CASE MANAGEMENT IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE (OTHER THAN THE FAMILY COURT OF THE SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE)
41. Case management in the Superior Court of Justice (other than the Family Court of the Superior Court of Justice)
Government of OntarioO. Reg. 114/99
Open official source ↗Binding law / official textEast Region Practice Direction
IN THE EAST REGION, SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE
Criminal Matters
in-person
virtual
in-writing
Trials (jury and non-jury)
x
Pre-trial motions
x
Guilty Pleas
x
Sentencing Hearing
x
Assignment Court /TBST/First Appearance
x
Summary Conviction Appeal
x
Judicial Pre-trials (JPTs)*
x
Bail Hearings â (virtual where practical but otherwise in-person to be addressed at the time of scheduling)*
x
Bail/Detention Reviews â (virtual where practical but otherwise in-person to be addressed at the time of scheduling)*
x
*some centres may conduct these in person if virtual cannot be accommodated for in custody matters See local directives for each court if applicable
Family & Child Protection Matters
in-person
virtual
In-writing
First Appearance Courts
x
Early or Urgent Case Conferences
x
Requests for Urgent Motions
x
CCs, SCs & Combined Conferences**
x
Trial Management Conferences (subject to local practice may be in-person with a settlement focus)
x
Assignment Court /Trial Scheduling Conf
x
Procedural & Consent motions
x…
Ontario Superior Court of JusticeSuperior Court of Justice — East
Open official source ↗Binding law / official textCentral South Region Practice Direction
Part 3 — : Filing Court Documents
Filing Court Documents shall be in accordance with the requirements set out in the Consolidated Provincial Practice Directions, including naming conventions of electronic material being filed, filing methods, timelines for filing, and maximum length of material being filed, except as outlined in this Practice Direction.
A. Uploading to Case Center
Parties must comply with the requirements regarding uploading material to Case Center as outlined in the appropriate Provincial Practice Direction. This includes timelines for uploading materials in advance of a hearing and material that should not be uploaded to Case Center.
In addition to the requirements outlined in the Provincial Practice Directions, parties are encouraged to consult the material regarding Case Center on the Superior Court of Justice website, available here .
Ontario Superior Court of JusticeSuperior Court of Justice — Central South
Open official source ↗Related subjects:Forms and documents · Courts, filing and court services
Further readingRelated rules, forms and explanations
Binding official sourceLaw / rule
Official Family Law Rules provisions governing financial disclosure and financial statements in family proceedings.
Government of OntarioRule 13 — Financial disclosureSource checked 2026-08-07
Binding official sourceLaw / rule
Official Family Law Rules provisions governing motions for temporary orders, including when motions may be brought and procedural requirements.
Government of OntarioRule 14 — Motions for temporary ordersSource checked 2026-08-07
Binding official sourceLaw / rule
Official Family Law Rules provisions for motions to change final orders or filed support agreements, including forms, response procedure and service requirements.
Government of OntarioRule 15 — Motions to change a final order or agreementSource checked 2026-08-07
Binding official sourceLaw / rule
Official Family Law Rules provisions governing case conferences, settlement conferences and trial management conferences, including briefs and confirmations.
Government of OntarioRule 17 — ConferencesSource checked 2026-08-07
Binding official sourceLaw / rule
Official Family Law Rules provisions governing trial records, witnesses, summonses and evidence at trial.
Government of OntarioRule 23 — Evidence and trialSource checked 2026-08-07
Binding official sourceLaw / rule
Official Family Law Rules provisions governing methods of service, including regular and special service and related proof-of-service requirements.
Government of OntarioRule 6 — Service of documentsSource checked 2026-08-07
Official court procedureCourt guide
The Superior Court guide explains the response process after an Application is served, including the Answer and related filing and service steps.
Key points
An Answer is the responding party’s main response
The Superior Court guide explains the steps for responding after an Application is served, including preparing the Answer and any other documents required by the issues in the case.
Service and filing are part of responding
Preparing the Answer is only one step. The response documents must also be served and filed within the applicable rules and court directions.
Ontario Superior Court of JusticeHow do I answer a family law application?Source checked 2026-08-08
Official court procedureCourt guide
The Superior Court guide explains Case Center as the electronic document platform used for hearings and directs parties to the current uploading requirements.
Key points
Case Center is used to view hearing documents
The Superior Court describes Case Center as the platform used by parties, counsel and judges to read electronic documents for court appearances.
Uploading and filing are different steps
Superior Court directions state that putting a document into Case Center does not itself file the document with the court. Current filing rules must still be followed.
Ontario Superior Court of JusticeWhat is Case Center?Source checked 2026-08-08
Official court procedureCourt guide
The OCJ Case Center page explains use of the electronic hearing-document platform for applicable family matters.
Ontario Court of JusticeCase Center for family mattersSource checked 2026-08-08
Official court procedureCourt guide
Official OCJ information about Case Center and support available to parties and self-represented litigants.
Key points
Case Center is not the same thing as filing
Case Center is used for hearing materials and document access in matters where the court directs its use. Filing requirements still have to be satisfied through the accepted filing process.
Follow the invitation and event instructions
The documents and bundle for a particular event depend on the court event and current directions.
Help is available
The OCJ page provides current Case Center support information for self-represented litigants.
Ontario Court of JusticeCase Center family-court information and supportSource checked 2026-08-07