Civil Proceedings at the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario

The Superior Court of Justice hears all civil proceedings in Ontario

Civil proceedings in the Superior Court are generally governed by the Rules of Civil Procedure and which include a set of prescribed Forms. Some matters may be governed by other procedures under particular statutes.

The Divisional Court, a branch of the Superior Court of Justice, is the principal forum for judicial review of government action and also hears statutory and some civil appeals from a broad range of administrative tribunals in Ontario. The Divisional Court is one of the busiest appellate Courts in Canada. The jurisdiction of civil appeals to the Divisional Court increased to $50,000 effective October 1, 2007.

In Toronto:

• the practice and procedure for civil applications and motions is described on the Civil Motions in Toronto page.
• complex commercial proceedings are heard by a team of judges who form the Commercial list.
• proceedings involving issues of estate, trust and capacity law are heard by judges who sit on the Estates List.

A distinct branch of the Superior Court called the Small Claims Court hears civil matters for under $25,000.

Information

• Practice Directions and Administrative Advisories
• Policies and Protocols
• Law Help Ontario
  • Civil Litigation
  • Law Help Ontario
• Ministry of the Attorney General Court Services - Civil Cases
  • Civil Cases – Suing and Being Sued
  • An Introduction to Civil Cases in the Superior Court of Justice
  • Future Pecuniary Damages Awards: Annual Discount Rates and Gross Up Rates
  • Videoconference Pilot Project For Solicitor-Client Assessments

The administration of justice in the province of Ontario falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Attorney General. For general information on issues relating to the administration of justice such as court forms and procedures, court hours, and court filing matters, please consult the Ministry of Attorney General website at http://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/. For general telephone inquiries, call the Ministry of the Attorney General at: Tel: (416) 326-4263.