Introduction

Modernization and transformation have been a central focus for Court Services Division for many years now. Court staff, the judiciary, stakeholders and court users alike will all have experienced many changes to court services, including new, more modern, ways to access justice services across Ontario. Modernization remains a top priority for CSD, with significant progress continuing in 2024–2025.

Feature initiatives

Jury modernization

Jury modernization initiatives have leveraged technology to reduce administrative burdens, improve communication, and provide jurors with convenient options for interacting with the justice system, making processes more accessible, efficient, and user-friendly.

Enhancements have included:

Jury Duty Online Tool

A public-facing resource that allows prospective jurors to sign up for jury duty notifications via email or text, confirm their attendance, and request deferrals, excusals or accommodations online. A related Jury Duty Admin Tool also provides court staff with modern ways to administer juries.

Online juror questionnaire

In 2024, we launched a new, hybrid model for completing the juror eligibility questionnaire, giving prospective jurors the option of completing the questionnaire either by paper or online. In a survey, 82% of respondents were moderately/very satisfied with the new online system, and we anticipate increased efficiencies and savings on printing going forward.

Writs transformation

The administration of writs has been centralized into a new corporate Writs Administration Unit, intended to streamline the day-to-day work of staff at local enforcement offices, allowing them to re-focus on other priorities.

Between August 2023 and February 2025, almost 160,000 local writ file records (or over 1,000,000 pages of paper file documents) were scanned and digitized.

As of November 2024, all 49 enforcement offices across Ontario have transitioned to the new writs administration model.

Interim Solution for File Storage

The Interim Solution for File Storage (ISFS) is a collaborative initiative between CSD, the SCJ, and the OCJ focused on digitizing and maintaining electronic court records to reduce reliance on paper-based processes.

ISFS has been successfully piloted in select family court sites and, as of March 2025, is expanding in phases throughout the province in the family and civil business lines. Small Claims Court and bankruptcy matters will be included in a future phase.

ISFS also lays the foundation for CDT by supporting the efficient migration of court records into the new digital justice solution.

Some key ISFS benefits include:

  • eliminates paper files
  • maintains the official court record in one digital system
  • provides court staff and the judiciary with immediate access to court files, anytime, from any location
  • enables a flexible and dynamic staffing support model

Courts Digital Transformation

The Courts Digital Transformation is a collaborative initiative between CSD, the SCJ and the OCJ to implement a new digital justice platform that will fundamentally transform the way justice services are delivered in Ontario.

The CDT will modernize and consolidate the courts’ legacy technologies, increase standardization of processes, and achieve integration of systems between the courts for all lines of business.

The CDT will enable users to:

  • file documents quickly and easily online
  • digitally access court case information online
  • pay fees online
  • receive decisions electronically

A seven-phase rollout plan has been established, with the first phase targeted to go live in 2025 in Toronto for SCJ family, civil, small claims, enforcement, bankruptcy, contested estates, and Divisional Court matters and OCJ family matters.

Financial process modernization

In support of Court Services Division’s finance offices across the province, outdated financial tools and processes have been modernized and replaced and a new banking service provider (used for enforcement proceeds management) has been onboarded.

The deployment of the new Trust Management System and new banking service provider was completed in Fall 2024 and are now being used in 46 court locations across the province.

Court interpreter modernization

In response to increased demand for interpretation services, demographic shifts, and technology changes, we are modernizing interpretation services in Ontario, for example by:

  • upgrading the interpreter scheduling system to a modernized platform
  • improving the interpreter accreditation and recruitment process
  • training court staff in the use of remote simultaneous interpretation technology

In 2024–2025, 46% of interpreter services scheduled by CSD used remote interpretation with the remaining 54% of services being delivered in person.

Judicial library services modernization

Court Services Division supports over 80 judicial libraries at courthouses across Ontario. We are transitioning to a modern digital library by: 

  • enhancing user experience with online resources and tools (including improved sign-in options, specialized training sessions, and one-to-one support)
  • using existing digital tools to increase the efficiency of library processes
  • improving print and digital collection management

We have also recently expanded access to French language legal resources and continue to improve and enhance the patron experience.

Additional efforts in support of modernization and backlog reduction

The Operational Support Branch and Program Management Branch of CSD have led and supported numerous legislative and regulatory updates to improve court services. Through various modernization efforts in 2024–2025, CSD has continued to lead and support backlog reduction in all business lines, including civil, family, and criminal. This work has included:

  • numerous updates to the Rules of Civil Procedure, the Family Law Rules, and the Rules of the Small Claims Court, in conjunction with different rules committees
  • supporting the expansion and availability of proportional and alternative dispute resolution and online filing options
  • working to update criminal processes and adapt to the needs of self-represented accused
  • modernization efforts to streamline and automate processes, including centralized teams to address outstanding court administration backlogs and outstanding administrative dismissal notices and orders for delay