Family Court Support Information

COVID-19 and Family Court

March 25, 2020
Luke’s Place Support and Resource Centre wants everyone supporting women fleeing abuse to have up-to-date information about what family law services and supports are available across Ontario at this time.

This information is from Luke's Place - see below;

• Ontario’s courts have suspended their regular operations
• Filing counters remain open with reduced hours (10 a.m. – 12 noon and 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.), but this could change at any time
• Documents for urgent matters only can be filed electronically: https://www.ontario.ca/page/file-divorce-application-online
• Duty counsel services are being provided remotely by Legal Aid Ontario. How this is being done will vary from one court jurisdiction to another. For more information: https://www.legalaid.on.ca/news/covid-19-update-on-our-client-services/
• Information and Referral Coordinator services will be available electronically. See below for contact information for IRCs across the province
• There will be some flexibility and understanding that not all documents being filed will be as professionally put together and as complete as is usually required. As long as affidavits contain detailed evidence, this should be acceptable
• Urgent matters that will be heard by the court include: custody, access, child protection, failure to return children, restraining orders, exclusive possession of the matrimonial home and, especially when the financial situation may preclude a woman from being able to get to a safe place, support
• Triage judges are in place at each family court to determine which cases are urgent
• See the end of this document for a tip sheet on safety planning for women living with an abusive partner

Accessing family law advice and assistance

Virtual Legal Clinic

Luke’s Place is opening its Virtual Legal Clinic (VLC) to women using any VAW service in any part of Ontario in order to increase access to family law support for women fleeing abuse. The VLC connects a woman with a family law lawyer via a web-based video conferencing program, for a summary legal advice consultation.

We have modified our protocols for using the VLC so that women can access a consultation whether or not they are in a shelter. Appointment requests must come through a VAW/woman-serving organization.

To learn more about the VLC, see information on our website at: https://lukesplace.ca/for-women/lukes-place-virtual-legal-clinic/
If you would like your clients to be able to access the VLC, please contact us at:
kathryn@lukesplace.ca and/or 905-728-0978 ext. 230.

Other special legal services

LAO’s Client Lawyer Service Centre can be reached at 1-800-668-8257, for summary legal advice about a family law issue.
Please note that, for the time being, financial eligibility requirements for summary legal advice are being waived. https://www.legalaid.on.ca/news/changes-to-summary-legal-advice-services-at-legal-aid-ontario-due-to-covid-19-pandemic/
The Law Society of Ontario has opened a new help line for people requiring urgent legal assistance: 1-800-268-7568 or 416-947-3310