Practice Direction regarding the Integrated Domestic Violence Court at 311 Jarvis Street, Toronto

Effective immediately, the following criminal and family cases will be scheduled in the Integrated Domestic Violence Court at 311 Jarvis Street, Toronto:

All domestic violence summary conviction charges that are scheduled for appearance at Old City Hall or College Park, Toronto where the accused is not in custody and is a litigant in a related Children’s Law Reform Act or Family Law Act case at the Ontario Court of Justice family courts at 47 Sheppard Avenue, Toronto or 311 Jarvis Street, Toronto.

Before any case is transferred to the Integrated Domestic Violence Court, the following is required:

• A Children’s Law Reform Act or Family Law Act case that has already started in the family court requires the consent of the family case management judge before the case is transferred to the Integrated Domestic Violence Court. Consent of the family case management judge is only required if there has been active involvement in the case by the judge prior to the transfer that involves more than a 14B motion or an initial case conference.

Eligible domestic violence cases will be adjourned from Courtroom 114, Old City Hall, and Courtroom 505 College Park, Toronto to the Integrated Domestic Violence Court at 311 Jarvis Street, Toronto.

The Children’s Law Reform Act or Family Law Act case will be adjourned from the First Appearance Court at the family courts at either 47 Sheppard Avenue or 311 Jarvis Street to the Integrated Domestic Violence Court at 311 Jarvis Street for the same date as the criminal case.

The Integrated Domestic Violence Court may hear all matters relating to the criminal and family cases, including short trials.

Original Signed by:

Annemarie E. Bonkalo
Chief Justice
Ontario Court of Justice

Faith Finnestad
Regional Senior Justice, Toronto
Ontario Court of Justice

April 26, 2013