The Ontario government is investing $166 million toward replacing outdated paper-based procedures with a digital platform to support access to the Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Justice and deliver more legal services online.
“Ontario is one step closer to a digital justice system that helps people resolve legal matters easier and faster,” said Doug Downey, Attorney General of Ontario. “Today marks a significant new chapter in our government’s plan to build a more modern, accessible and effective justice system now and into the future.”
Thomson Reuters has been awarded the contract to deliver the new digital justice platform, which will allow court users to:
- file documents quickly and easily online
- digitally access court case information online
- pay fees online
- connect virtually to hearings
- manage court appearances online
- receive decisions electronically
The move toward a digital justice system was first announced in November 2021 and is part of the province’s Justice Accelerated Strategy, a multi-year plan to harness new and existing technology to break down barriers and speed up access to services remotely, in-person and online.
As of June 2023, court users can electronically submit over 700 different types of court documents for family, civil, divisional and small claims court matters.
“Together, Ontario and Thomson Reuters will transform Ontario’s courts into one of the most modern and accessible justice systems in North America,” said David Wong, Chief Product Officer, Thomas Reuter. “As a Canadian company, we are proud that our technology will help improve access to justice in our home province.”
For more info on the digital justice system and Ontario’s strategy to improve Court services, visit Ontario Unveils Plans to Accelerate Access to the Justice System | Ontario Newsroom
