Application Open for Counsel to Join Dispute Resolution Offer (DRO) Panels
17/10/2024The Superior Court of Justice, in collaboration with the Ministry of the Attorney General, is seeking candidates to join DRO panels in Barrie, Brampton, Durham, Hamilton, London, Milton, Newmarket and St. Catharines.
The DRO program provides family litigants with an early evaluation of their case by an experienced and neutral family lawyer for the purposes of facilitating settlement, narrowing the issues in dispute and assisting to organize the case so that it is ready for judicial intervention, where needed.
Candidates admitted to the panel will receive compensation at the rate of $250.00 per day plus HST. (*This compensation rate is currently under review).
French-speaking or bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
Selection criteria include:
- A minimum of 10 years of experience in the practice of family law
- Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario as a barrister and solicitor[1].
- Family law expertise, including negotiation, litigation, and ADR processes, knowledge of family court directions, rules, legislation, and case law.
- Exceptional problem solving and dispute resolution skills.
- Leadership in the family justice sector.
- Familiarity with the court to which you are applying and its family justice participants, including participation in local bench and bar or community liaison committees.
The Application form for admission to the panel is linked here.
Completed Application packages may be submitted by email to: droempanelment@ontario.ca.
The deadline to apply is Monday, December 9, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. EST. All Applications must be completed in full, including the necessary authorizations and references. Late or incomplete Applications will not be accepted.
We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening will be contacted.
Applicants who require an accommodation under the Ontario Human Rights Code are encouraged to include the request with their application.
[1] Retired lawyers may also apply if, at the time of their retirement, their license was not suspended. They will be required to maintain insurance for the purpose of participating in the program.
Ontario Judicial Appointment Announced
15/10/2024Toronto Small Claims Court – Calendly – Motions
25/09/2024Opening of the Courts – Remarks by Chief Justice Morawetz
23/09/2024Remarks of Chief Justice Geoffrey B. Morawetz
Superior Court of Justice
Opening of the Courts
Toronto, September 23, 2024
Administrative Dismissals under Rule 48.14 of the Rules of Civil Procedure – Central East Region
24/06/2024Effective May 13, 2024, all consent or confirmed unopposed motions addressing the dismissal timelines under Rule 48.14 of the Rules of Civil Procedure shall be brought by way of a motion in writing that will be heard as a “basket motion” before a judge. Consent timetables filed under this Rule will also be handled as a basket motion by a judge.
Any contested motion for a status hearing will first be addressed in the weekly triage court held every Thursday in the Central East Region. Counsel will be expected to have consulted prior to the triage court concerning an agreed upon timetable that will address all steps required leading up to the actual motion. The triage judge will determine if the motion for a status hearing can be heard in writing; whether the motion can be heard as a one-hour motion on a regular motions list; or whether the motion will be heard as a long motion (i.e. longer than one hour).
For more information regarding how to schedule a contested motion for a status hearing, please refer to the Notice to the Profession, issued on March 1, 2024 and subsequently updated on June 24, 2024. Central East | Superior Court of Justice (ontariocourts.ca)
RSJ Mark Edwards