Case Center — Ontario Court of Justice family court
Ontario Court of Justice
Ontario Court of Justice — family cases
The Ontario Court of Justice hears many parenting, support, child-protection and adoption matters, but it does not grant divorces or decide family-property claims.
The Ontario Court of Justice hears many family cases, including claims about decision-making responsibility, parenting time, contact, child and spousal support, child protection and adoption. It does not have jurisdiction to grant a divorce or determine family-property claims such as equalization of net family property.
OCJ family cases are governed by the Family Law Rules and the legislation that applies to the issues in the case. The OCJ also publishes current scheduling and filing directions. Hearing modes, portal use and Case Center availability can change, so court-specific directions should be checked for the location and event involved.
What this source covers
Official OCJ information about Case Center and support available to parties and self-represented litigants.
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.
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 ↗Related rules, forms and explanations
Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017
Official Ontario statute governing child and family services, including child-protection and adoption proceedings.
Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017
Ontario’s Child, Youth and Family Services Act is the primary provincial statute for child-protection proceedings and related child and family services.
Family Law Rules — Rule 14: Motions for temporary orders
Official Family Law Rules provisions governing motions for temporary orders, including when motions may be brought and procedural requirements.
Family Law Rules — Rule 15: Motions to change a final order or agreement
Official Family Law Rules provisions for motions to change final orders or filed support agreements, including forms, response procedure and service requirements.
Family Law Rules — Rule 16: Summary judgment
Official Family Law Rules provisions governing summary judgment in family cases.
Family Law Rules — Rule 17: Conferences
Official Family Law Rules provisions governing case conferences, settlement conferences and trial management conferences, including briefs and confirmations.
Family Law Rules — Rule 23: Evidence and trial
Official Family Law Rules provisions governing trial records, witnesses, summonses and evidence at trial.
Family Law Rules — Rule 24: Costs
Official Family Law Rules provisions governing costs in family cases.
Case conferences — Ontario Court of Justice
Current OCJ guidance on case conferences, including Form 17A, financial updates, Form 17F confirmation and Rule 17 service and filing.
Key points
Core case-conference forms
The OCJ identifies Form 17 (Conference Notice) and Form 17A (Case Conference Brief) for a case conference.
What the brief covers
The OCJ describes Form 17A as covering family information, financial circumstances, agreed and disputed issues, issues for discussion and proposed resolution.
Financial disclosure may need updating
The OCJ explains that an older financial statement may need to be updated and also points to Form 13A where financial disclosure is required.
Confirmation
The OCJ identifies Form 17F as the Confirmation of Conference and directs parties to Rule 17(14).
Service and filing
The OCJ points to Rule 17(13) and 17(13.1) for service and filing of conference briefs and gives current OCJ timing information.
Conference briefs have special record treatment
The OCJ notes that Form 17A does not go into the Continuing Record unless the judge orders otherwise.
Central East Region — Superior Court practice direction
The Central East regional practice direction contains local Superior Court procedures and family-court scheduling, filing or hearing requirements that apply in that region in addition to province-wide directions.