Family Proceedings at the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario

Family Court proceedings are heard at all Superior Court locations throughout the province. However, family law consists of statutes from both the federal and provincial jurisdictions. In 17 court locations in Ontario, the split jurisdiction has been unified so that the Family Court branch of the Superior Court of Justice hears all family matters. In the remaining 33 locations, family law represents a significant portion of the overall workload of the Superior Court, but does not include proceedings that are governed by provincial statute such as child welfare proceedings.

At sites where there is no Family Court branch of the Superior Court of Justice, family law matters governed by provincial law are heard by the Ontario Court of Justice. Under section 21.2(3) of the Courts of Justice Act, every judge of the Superior Court of Justice is also a judge of the Family Court.

• Family Law Rules
• History
• Family Law Strategic Plan
• Prioritizing Children Initiative (PDF)

The Role of Family Court

The Family Court is a unique environment created by the Family Law Rules and the Court support services developed in collaboration with the Ministry of the Attorney General. Judges who form the core of the Superior Court's Family Court complement also have an expertise in family law. The core judges of the Family Court play a vital role in meeting the needs of families and children at family court sites in Ontario and also support the current two-thirds of the province where substantive family law jurisdiction has not been unified.

Information

As of July 1, 2004 all family proceedings in Ontario are governed by the same Family Law Rules.

• Practice Directions and Administrative Advisories
  • Often Cited Family Law Cases in Family Proceedings in the Superior Court of Justice in the Central West, Central South, North West, South West & Toronto Regions
• Policies and Protocols
• Family Law Rules (O. Reg. 114/99)
• Family Law Rules Forms, Ontario Court Forms Assistant
• Ministry of the Attorney General Court Services - Family Law
  • Family Court Support Worker Program
  • Family Law Information
  • Divorce and Separation
  • Family Courts Structure
  • What You Should Know About Family Law in Ontario
  • Where Do I Stand: A Child's Legal Guide to Separation and Divorce
  • A Guide to Procedures in Family Court
  • Family Court Addresses and Family Mediation and Information Service Providers
• Ministry of the Attorney General Victim Services
  • Family Court Support Worker Program
• Ministry of Community and Social Services
• Forms (Related family forms regulated by Family Responsibility and Support Arrears Enforcement Act, 1996)

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.