Ontario Court of Justice

The Ontario Court of Justice is a Provincial Court for the Canadian province of Ontario. This court oversees matters relating to family law and criminal law.

This court is subordinate in relationship to the "superior" courts. The phrase "provincial court" or "territorial court" is often used to mean a low level court whose decisions can be reviewed by a "superior" court. Decades ago they were managed at the local municipal level. See Provincial Court.

The Ontario Court of Justice is a division of the Court of Ontario. (The other division of the Court of Ontario is the Superior Court of Justice.)

Family law

Family law cases deal with matters of custody, access and support, child protection so long as these are not incidental of or were not previously a part of a divorce application. Cases are heard by a judge only. Appeals from these cases are heard by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.

Criminal law

Criminal law cases heard before the court are summary conviction offences, less serious indictable offences under section 553 of the Criminal Code of Canada, and indictable offences where the defendant has elected to have his or her trial heard in the Ontario Court of Justice (excluding offences found under section 469 of the Criminal Code of Canada - murder, treason, etc). Cases are heard by a judge only. Appeals from these cases are heard by the Ontario Superior...
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