As the pandemic drags on, courts and tribunals in Ontario have started to find their technological footing. The status and updates for various areas are as follows:
Superior Court of Justice - Small Claims - The courts are taking online submissions through an online portal available at https://www.ontario.ca/page/file-small-claims-court-documents-online Also, effective January 14 2021, the court will be accepting all "Request to Clerk" forms for assessment hearings. Assessment hearings are used when the defendant has been noted in default for failure to file a defence.
Ontario Court of Justice - Summary Criminal - matters have largely resumed by video. and telephone conference. The public is encouraged to avoid in person appearances at the courthouse wherever possible.
Landlord and Tenant Board - The board has ended its suspended limitations period from the first state of emergency declaration as of September 14 2020. Information on calculations for time are available at https://tribunalsontario.ca/en/covid-19/ As for timelines, the board has this to say:
As the LTB works to resume operations, landlords and tenants may experience service delays.
You may need to wait as long as 45 minutes to speak to a call centre representative. When all lines are busy with other callers, you will get a busy signal.
There will be delays in application processing for applications. Payment will be processed upon filing. Urgent applications will be processed.
Orders for L1/L9 hearings will be issued 20 to 30 days after a hearing and up to 60 days for other types of applications.
With respect to eviction enforcement the board says "On February 10, 2021, the government amended the regulation to apply only to rental units in regions of the province where a stay-at-home order is in place. The Sheriff can enforce all eviction orders in any Public Health Unit Region where there is no stay-at-home order."
Do you have more questions? Feel free to call Jon directly at 519-564-3242 today.
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