Criminal Proceedings at the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario

The Superior Court of Justice is a superior court of criminal jurisdiction. While less serious criminal cases are heard by the Ontario Court of Justice, the judges of the Superior Court of Justice hear the more serious criminal cases under the Criminal Code of Canada.

Criminal Proceedings Rules:

The new Criminal Proceedings Rules for the Superior Court of Justice (Ontario) were gazetted on February 29, 2012 and came into force on March 1, 2012.

New forms: Word, PDF

The Report of the Chief Justice’s Advisory Committee on Criminal Trials

In 2005, Chief Justice Heather Smith of the Superior Court of Justice, with the approval of the Court’s Council of Regional Senior Judges, established the Advisory Committee on Criminal Trials. The role of the Advisory Committee was to identify areas in which criminal proceedings in the Superior Court could be made more efficient. The Report of the Committee may be found here: New Approaches to Criminal Trials: Report of the Chief Justice's Advisory Committee on Criminal Trials in the Superior Court of Justice

Information

• Practice Directions and Administrative Advisories
• Policies and Protocols
• Recommended instructions to self-represented accused before pre-trial conferences (PDF)
• Ministry of the Attorney General Court Services - Criminal Law
  • What Happens in Criminal Court
  • Going to Court
  • Guides to Ontario Courts
  • Jury Duty
  • Bail and Sureties
  • How do I Find a Lawyer or a Paralegal?
  • Subpoenas and Summons'
  • Youth Crime Appeals
  • Help for Child Victims of Crime
  • Help for Parents and Caregivers
  • Elder Abuse
  • Domestic Violence
  • Help for Victims of Sexual Assault
  • Getting a Court Interpreter

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.