Remote court proceedings

Due to the COVID pandemic, some court proceedings for Provincial Offences Act matters are being held remotely by telephone or video conference.

The Ontario Court of Justice introduced these measures to ensure that members of the public and the media continue to have appropriate access to court proceedings.

Guides

Before you attend remote court proceedings, review the Ontario Court of Justice’s Remote Court Appearances Guide for Participants.

If you are representing yourself in court, refer to the Ontario Court of Justice’s Guide for Self-Represented Parties.

Zoom virtual court links

To attend a remote hearing for:

• First appearances (if you recently received a summons)
• Cases previously adjourned
• Cases where you received a Notice to Parties Regarding Video Court Appearance

Confirm your hearing details and courtroom by hearing date:

Participating in remote court

When you’re attending virtual court proceedings, you must conduct yourself the same was as if you were physically in the courtroom.

The same expectations and requirements for conduct and professional behaviour apply.

Before joining the proceedings

• Join the proceedings from a quiet and private space. Make sure any background distractions from your surroundings can’t be seen or heard.
• Join the proceedings from a well-lit space. Avoid the use of filters or backgrounds. This helps ensure your identity during the proceedings.
• The device you use to join the proceedings should be either fully charged or plugged into an external power source
• Sign into the virtual courtroom on Zoom five minutes before your court matter
• Use your legal first and last name when signing in
• Make sure that you’re connected to the internet or a WiFi hotspot. Otherwise, you won’t be able to use Zoom. If you lose connectivity, try to rejoin immediately. If you’re unable to rejoin, call 905-615-4500.
• You must be dressed appropriately for court
• No food, beverages, gum chewing or smoking is permitted. You may have water during your court proceedings.
• If possible, use a headset with a microphone to make sure you can be heard clearly
• Close all other applications so you’re not distracted during the proceedings
• Cell phones must be muted
• Disrupting court proceedings or failing to remain on mute may result in individuals being removed from the call
• There may be other matters are set for the same timeframe. There may be a waiting period before your matter is addressed.

During court proceedings

• You must remain on mute for the duration of your attendance unless you are called upon to speak on the record
• Make sure your camera is on before you speak. It is mandatory that you participate by video. Your scheduled virtual court matter cannot be completed by audio only.
• State your name for the record before speaking in court
• Don’t carry conversations while court is in session
• If you have technical difficulties during the proceedings, use the “virtual hand” on Zoom. Press *9 if joining by telephone.
• It’s an offence to record, photograph, screenshot or live stream court matters without pre-authorization

Instructions for Zoom meetings

You can download and install Zoom onto your device, or join a Zoom meeting through your web browser.