Family Proceedings
The Superior Court of Justice is dedicated to guaranteeing that the family justice system is both effective and accessible at all Superior Court sites in Ontario.
Family cases are heard at all Superior Court locations in the province; however, family law is governed by both federal and provincial legislation. Consequently, the Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Justice are each granted jurisdiction over family law cases in Ontario.
In all cases involving divorce and the division of property, the Superior Court of Justice has exclusive jurisdiction under federal law. Conversely, child protection and adoption cases must be heard in the Ontario Court of Justice under provincial law. Child custody and access cases, as well as child and spousal support cases, are adjudicated by both courts.
A guide to the procedure has been created by the Superior Court of Justice to inform litigants about each step in a family case. Additionally, specific information regarding settlement conferences and case conferences is accessible. Additionally, please consult the Family Law Rules and the Practice Directions of the Superior Court of Justice. You may also consult our Sunwood Law lawyers for further details.
The Family Law Strategic Plan was established by the Superior Court of Justice in 2008 as a framework to enhance the quality of family court proceedings. The Strategic Plan establishes achievable objectives and guiding principles to ensure that family law litigants have meaningful access to justice at all Superior Court sites in Ontario, in line with the two central guiding principles of accessibility and effectiveness.
The Child Prioritization Initiative, which was initiated by the court in 2012, is a continuation of the Superior Court's Family Law Strategic Plan. It establishes specific objectives and targeted strategies to guarantee that children at risk and children in conflict are given the utmost priority during family court proceedings.
If you have any questions regarding the family court proceedings and litigation procedures, feel free to reach out to Sunwood Law.