On July 20, 2021, a regulation was filed to amend court rules and forms for civil proceedings in the Superior Court of Justice: O. Reg. 526/21, amending the Rules of Civil Procedure.

This regulation revises the procedure to fix the method of attendance for out-of-court examinations and mediations. It makes amendments to six rules and four forms.

The rule amendments include:

• revising r. 1.08 (8) to alter the procedure to object to the proposed method of attendance for an out-of-court step and to capture more out-of-court steps;
• clarifying the language in r. 1.08 (1), (5), and (6) regarding the method of attendance at a hearing or other in-court step;
• clarifying that mediators shall give notice of the method of attendance in rr. 24.1.09 (7) and 75.1.07 (7); and
• removing the reference to attending mediation sessions “in person” in rr. 75.1.03, 75.1.05(4), and 75.2.02.

Forms 24.1B, 34A, 34B, and 53C are revised to provide information to the recipient about the procedure to object to the selected method of attendance.

A summary of the regulation is available on Ontario’s Regulatory Registry at: 21-MAG024

The amendments and forms will come into force on September 1, 2021. 

Please share with your members.

Katie W. Robinette

Executive Director

FOLA.ca

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The Canadian Judicial Council has published three new informational handbooks for self-represented litigants who are involved in civil, criminal or family litigation procedures. The goal of the handbooks is to help those who are not represented by legal counsel to better prepare for court proceedings, and to provide judges with tools they can recommend to such persons to help them access the courts. 

The handbooks make it simple for self-represented litigants to access information for each province and territory in both official languages on how to prepare for a hearing, the applicable rules and law, where to find free or lower cost legal help and related resource agencies, among many other things.

Civil Law Handbook

Criminal Law Handbook

Family Law Handbook

Please find attached posters for distribution re: the sittings of Divisional Court in 2022.

The LCLA Law Library has now reopened. The library is currently being staffed from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM, with all necessary precautions being taken to keep everyone safe.

Please mark your calendars for the Lincoln County Law Association AGM to be held on Thursday, August 13 at 5:00 via zoom.

Details and materials will be distributed in the near future.

In an effort to keep real estate lawyers updated with the ever-changing situation, we have further information to be shared with the real estate lawyers in your association.

LRO Closures

The Director of Titles has announced the closure of all 54 Land Registry Offices to the public effective October 13, 2020. This means that Friday, October 9, 2020 will be last day the Land Registry Office counter service will be available. Further details can be found in his letter to FOLA here.

If and when we receive further information of interest to the real estate bar, we will pass it along. 

Stay up to date with FOLA’s real estate information at https://fola.ca/real-estate-law.

Merredith MacLennan and Eldon Horner

FOLA Real Estate Co-Chairs

Please note: The information provided herein is of a general nature only and is not intended to provide legal advice.

Please note the Civil and Family Trial Sittings in 2021 have been set for the following dates:

Long Trial Team Sittings (reserved for all trials that require 15 days or more):

• March 22, 2021
• October 4, 2021

Hamilton Sopinka – 3 weeks each (civil)

• February 8, 2021
• May 10, 2021
• September 13, 2021
• November 15 , 2021

Kitchener – 3 weeks each

• January 25, 2021
• April 6, 2021
• September 7, 2021
• November 8, 2021

St. Catharines – 3 weeks each

• January 18 , 2021
• May 17, 2021
• October 12, 2021

Welland

• March 29, 2021 – 3 weeks
• June 14, 2021 – 2 weeks
• November 22, 2021 – 3 weeks

Please find below a list of links providing you with information on the use of the Zoom video platform. The links give information ranging from basic use, to more advanced features and keyboard shortcuts, depending on your needs.

https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/206618765-Zoom-video-tutorials

https://www.zdnet.com/article/zoom-101-a-starter-guide-for-beginners-plus-advanced-tips-and-tricks-for-pros/

https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/205683899-Hot-Keys-and-Keyboard-Shortcuts-for-Zoom

https://www.howtogeek.com/669467/zoom-keyboard-shortcut-and-how-to-use-them/

https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-use-zoom-like-a-pro-13-video-chat-hacks-to-try-at-your-next-meeting/

https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/tips-for-using-zoom/

https://www.wired.com/story/tips-for-using-zoom/

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC – COUNTER SERVICES

The health and wellbeing of court occupants and all Ontarians who access the courthouse is a priority.

Do not come into the Courthouse in person if you have been advised by Public Health or your doctor or the Ontario Ministry of Health (MOH) website to self-isolate due to possible exposure to the coronavirus (COVID-19). 

All users of this courthouse are advised to consult the MOH website for the latest information on COVID-19 at: Ontario.ca/coronavirus

If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or to determine whether you should isolate yourself or seek medical assistance, call Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000 or your local public health unit for assistance and direction, before attending the courthouse. 

COUNTER SERVICES

Effective March 18, 2020, and until further notice, counter services will be offered between 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  

ONLINE FILING

Please note that online filing is available for Small Claims Court, Civil, and Family Court matters. For more information, please visit:

https://www.ontario.ca/page/file-small-claims-online (Small Claims Court) 

https://www.ontario.ca/page/file-civil-claim-online (civil)

https://www.ontario.ca/page/file-divorce-application-online (family)

FAMILY MEDIATION AND INFORMATION SERVICES

All onsite family mediation and information services are being suspended until further notice.  Parties are encouraged to contact service providers to discuss services being offered remotely, including online or by phone. 

You may also be able to find information at:

Community Legal Education Ontario: cleo.on.ca

Steps to Justice: stepstojustice.ca

Legal Aid Ontario: legalaid.on.ca

Due to the Covid-19 situation, the Law Library will be unstaffed until further notice.  Staff will be working offsite, and may be reached via email at library@thelcla.ca.  Library staff will have access to Quicklaw, Practice Advisor, Wrongful Dismissal Database and Lawyers’ Daily, and will be able to assist with research. We will post any updates on the LCLA website.