Ontario Superior Court of Justice

Ontario Superior Court of Justice
Cour supérieure de justice de l'Ontario (French)
Established 1999
Country Ontario Ontario
Composition method appointed by the federal government
Authorized by inherent jurisdiction at common law [1]
Decisions are appealed to Court of Appeal for Ontario
Judge term length mandatory retirement by age of 75
No. of positions Over 300[2]
Website http://www.ontariocourts.on.ca/scj/en/
Chief Justice
Currently Heather Forster Smith
Since 2002

The Superior Court of Justice (French: Cour supérieure de justice de l'Ontario) is a superior court in Ontario. The Court sits in 52 locations across the province, including 17 Family Court locations and consists of over 300 justices.[3]

In 1999, the Superior Court of Justice was renamed from the Ontario Court of Justice (General Division). The Superior Court is one of two divisions of the Court of Ontario. The other division is the lower court, the Ontario Court of Justice.[3] The Superior Court has three specialized branches: Divisional Court, Small Claims Court, and Family Court.

The Superior Court has inherent jurisdiction over civil, criminal, and family law matters at common law.[3][4] Although the Court has inherent jurisdiction, the authority of the Court has been entrenched in the Canadian Constitution.[5]

Superior Court of Justice branches

The Superior Court of Justice has three branches:

Divisional Court

The Divisional Court hears appeals from some judgments and orders of judges of the Superior Court of Justice and reviews or hears appeals from decisions of administrative tribunals. It hears all appeals from a final order of the Superior Court where the award does not exceed $50,000.00. The Divisional Court also hears appeals from Small Claims Court judgments exceeding $2,500.00 (there is no statutory right of appeal from a Small Claims Court judgment of less than $2,500.00). The Divisional Court consists of the Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Justice, who is president of the court, and such other judges of the Superior Court as the Chief Justice designates from time to time. Hearings take place before a panel of three judges except in the case of appeals from the Small Claims Court which take place before a single judge. The Divisional Court is a descendant of the court of the same name in England, which is part of the Queen's Bench division of the English High Court of Justice, and hears certain appeals.

Small Claims Court

The Small Claims Court has jurisdiction in civil matters where the amount in issue does not exceed $25,000.00 exclusive of interest and costs. The monetary jurisdiction of this court is fixed by regulation, rising to the current limit from $10,000 on January 1, 2010. The majority of Small Claims Court matters are heard by deputy judges, lawyers who have been appointed for a period of three years by the Regional Senior Justice to hear such cases. As result of court reform, no new full-time judges have been appointed by the provincial government to preside in Small Claims Court. Proceedings in the Small Claims Court are governed by a codified set of rules contained in O. Reg. 258/98 (as amended), the Rules of the Small Claims Court, instead of the complex Ontario Rules of Civil Procedure.

Family Court

In those areas of Ontario where the Family Court branch of the Superior Court of Justice does not exist, jurisdiction over family law disputes is divided between the Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Justice. Cases which have divorce or property claims are brought exclusively in the Superior Court, and child protection and adoption cases must be commenced solely in the Ontario Court of Justice. Each of these two courts has jurisdiction over child and spousal support, as well as custody and access claims.

In those places where the Family Court branch of the Superior Court of Justice has been established, there is no divided jurisdiction in family law matters. The Family Court succeeds what was known as the Unified Family Court, which began as a pilot project in Hamilton, in 1977. It has complete jurisdiction over all family law matters in its area, including those matters currently within the jurisdiction of judges of the Provincial Division and the General Division. The Family Court is presided over by a Senior Judge of the Superior Court for the Family Court. The Family Court consists of the Chief Justice of the Superior Court, the Associate Chief Justice (Family Court) the Senior Judge of the Family Court, and any other Superior Court Judge as assigned by the Chief Justice or designate.

Administrative structure of the Court

The Superior Court consists of the Chief Justice of the Superior Court, the Associate Chief Justice of the Superior Court, eight Regional Senior Judges, the Senior Judge of the Family Court, and over 300 federally appointed judges. In addition there are a number of supernumerary judges appointed as required from time to time.

The Chief Justice is responsible for the sittings of the Court and assigning judicial duties, as well as other matters relating to the governance and administration of the Court. The Associate Chief Justice, eight Regional Senior Judges, and the Senior Judge of the Family Court form the Executive of the Court, which provides advice to the Chief Justice on policy and governance. Together, the Chief Justice and the members of the Executive work to ensure the proper administration of the Court.

Ontario is divided into eight regions for judicial administration. Each region is headed by a Regional Senior judge who exercises the powers and performs the duties of the Chief justice in that region.[6]

There are also provincially appointed judicial officers who exercise certain functions in the superior court. These include masters, assessment officers and registrars.

Case Management Masters are provincially appointed judicial officers with the authority to hear and determine certain matters in civil cases, including motions, pre-trials, and case conferences. Masters and case management masters also adjudicate construction lien trials, mortgage and general references, provide dispute resolution services, and serve as registrars in bankruptcy under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.[7]

Orders made by masters have the same force and effect as judges' orders although they may be appealed to a judge. Masters are appointed and paid by the provincial government. Masters have existed in the courts of Ontario since 1837.

Current judges of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice[8]

Position Name Region Date Appointed
Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Justice Heather Forster Smith N/A
Associate Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Justice Frank N. Marrocco N/A
Senior Judge of the Family Court George Czutrin N/A

Central East Region

Ontario Superior Court of Justice Ontario Superior Court of Justice - Family DIvision
Position Name Date Appointed Position Name Date Appointed
Regional Senior Judge Michelle Fuerst Justice Richard T. Bennett
Justice Stephen T. Bale Justice Laura E. Fryer
Justice Laura A. Bird Justice Fred Graham
Justice R. Cary Boswell Justice Jayne E. Hughes
Justice Robert Charney Justice Alan P. Ingram
Justice J. Christopher Corkery Justice David Jarvis
Justice Joseph Di Luca 2016[9] Justice Ronald P. Kaufman
Justice Guy P. Di Tomaso Justice John P. L. McDermot
Justice Peter A. Douglas Justice Heather A. McGee
Justice Margaret Eberhard Justice J. Scott McLeod
Justice Mark L. Edwards Justice Clifford S. Nelson
Justice Jane Ferguson Justice Lydia M. Olah
Justice Cory A. Gilmore Justice Allan R. Rowsell
Justice Bruce A. Glass Justice Margaret A. C. Scott
Justice Drew S. Gunsolus Justice D. Roger Timms
Justice Susan E. Healey Justice Ramona A. Wildman
Justice Myrna L. Lack
Justice Sharon Lavine
Justice Barry G. A. MacDougall
Justice John R. McCarthy
Justice Michael K. McKelvey
Justice Edwin B. Minden
Justice Gregory M. Mulligan
Justice Anne Mullins
Justice Paul W. Nicholson
Justice Hugh K. O’Connell
Justice Elizabeth Quinlan
Justice David Salmers
Justice J. Bryan Shaughnessy
Justice Alexander Sosna
Justice Phillip Sutherland
Justice Mary E. Vallee
Justice Thomas M. Wood
Justice Susan Woodley

Central South Region

Ontario Superior Court of Justice Ontario Superior Court of Justice - Family DIvision
Position Name Date Appointed Position Name Date Appointed
Regional Senior Judge Harrison S. Arrell Justice Caroline E. Brown
Justice Catrina D. Braid Justice Grant A. Campbell
Justice David A. Broad Justice Deborah L. Chappel
Justice Kim A. Carpenter-Gunn Justice Lene Madsen 2016[9]
Justice David L. Edwards 2012[10] Justice Wendy L. MacPherson
Justice Patrick J. Flynn Justice Randolph Mazza
Justice C. Stephen Glithero (supernumerary) Justice Mary Jo McLaren (supernumerary)
Justice Andrew J. Goodman Justice Alex Pazaratz
Justice Donald J. Gordon Justice J. Wilma Scott
Justice James R. H. Turnbull
Justice R. John Harper
Justice Joseph R. Henderson
Justice Cheryl Lafrenière
Justice Richard A. Lococo
Justice Thomas R. Lofchik
Justice Theresa Maddalena
Justice Jane A. Milanetti
Justice Robert J. Nightingale 2012[11]
Justice Dale Parayeski
Justice James A. Ramsay
Justice Robert B. Reid
Justice Robert D. Reilly
Justice Antonio Skarica 2012[12]
Justice James W. Sloan
Justice Paul R. Sweeny
Justice Gerald E. Taylor
Justice Linda M. Walters
Justice Alan C. R. Whitten

Central West Region

Ontario Superior Court of Justice
Position Name Date Appointed Position Name Date Appointed
Regional Senior Judge Peter A. Daley Justice S. Casey Hill (supernumerary)
Justice Irving W. André 2012[11] Justice William M. Le May
Justice Deena F. Baltman Justice Gordon D. Lemon
Justice Kofi N. Barnes Justice Lucy K. McSweeney
Justice Thomas A. Bielby Justice Gisele M. Miller
Justice Ivan S. Bloom Justice Nancy M. Mossip
Justice Kendra D. Coats Justice David Price
Justice Clayton Conlan Justice Leonard Ricchetti
Justice Steve A. Coroza Justice Silja S. Seppi
Justice Fletcher Dawson Justice Lorna-Lee Snowie
Justice Meredith Donohue Justice John R. Sproat
Justice Bruce Durno Justice Robert M. Thompson
Justice Michael G. Emery Justice Jamie K. Trimble
Justice J. Michal Fairburn Justice E. Ria Tzimas 2012[12]
Justice Dale F. Fitzpatrick 2012[13] Justice Francine E. Van Melle
Justice Joseph M. Fragomeni Justice Bonnie J. Wein (supernumerary)
Justice Michael R. Gibson Justice Jennifer Woollcombe
Justice Douglas K. Gray

East Region

Ontario Superior Court of Justice Ontario Superior Court of Justice - Family DIvision
Position Name Date Appointed Position Name Date Appointed
Regional Senior Judge James E. McNamara Justice Jennifer A. Blishen (supernumerary)
Justice Brian W. Abrams Justice Johanne Lafrance-Cardinal
Justice Catherine D. Aitken Justice Maria T. Linhares de Sousa
Justice Robert N. Beaudoin Justice V. Jennifer Mackinnon
Justice Michel Z. Charbonneau Justice Timothy Minnema
Justice Sylvia Corthorn Justice Kenneth E. Pedlar
Justice Adriana Doyle Justice Cheryl Robertson
Justice Tracy Engelking 2016[9] Justice Mark P. Shelston
Justice Charles T. Hackland Justice Anne C. Trousdale
Justice Martin S. James
Justice John M. Johnston
Justice Paul B. Kane
Justice Stanley J. Kershman
Justice Marc R. Labrosse
Justice Laurie Lacelle
Justice Ronald M. Laliberté
Justice Rick Leroy
Justice Calum U. C. MacLeod
Justice Helen K. MacLeod-Beliveau
Justice Robert L. Maranger
Justice Colin D. A. McKinnon
Justice Hugh R. McLean
Justice Graeme Mew
Justice Julianne A. Parfett
Justice Robert Pelletier
Justice Kevin B. Phillips
Justice Michael Quigley
Justice Lynn D. Ratushny
Justice Timothy D. Ray
Justice Pierre E. Roger
Justice Robert F. Scott
Justice Elizabeth C. Sheard
Justice Robert J. Smith
Justice Wolfram Tausendfreund
Justice Giovanna Toscano Roccamo
Justice Gary W. Tranmer

Northeast Region

Ontario Superior Court of Justice
Position Name Date Appointed Position Name Date Appointed
Regional Senior Judge Robbie D. Gordon Justice Ian S. McMillan
Justice R. Dan Cornell Justice David J. Nadeau
Justice Robert G. S. Del Frate (supernumerary) Justice John S. Poupore
Justice M. Gregory Ellies Justice Annalisa S. Rasaiah
Justice Edward E. Gareau Justice Robert A. Riopelle
Justice Louise L. Gauthier Justice Paul U. Rivard
Justice Patricia C. Hennessy Justice Robin Y. Tremblay
Justice Norman M. Karam Justice George T. Valin
Justice Edward J. Koke Justice Michael N. Varpio 2012[10]
Justice Alexander D. Kurke Justice W. Larry Whalen
Justice Cindy A. M. MacDonald Justice James A. S. Wilcox

Northwest Region

Ontario Superior Court of Justice
Position Name Date Appointed Position Name Date Appointed
Regional Senior Judge Bonnie R. Warkentin Justice Helen M. Pierce
Justice F. Bruce Fitzpatrick Justice Terrence A. Platana
Justice John S. Fregeau Justice Douglas C. Shaw
Justice W. Danial Newton Justice G. Patrick Smith

Southwest Region

Ontario Superior Court of Justice Ontario Superior Court of Justice - Family DIvision
Position Name Date Appointed Position Name Date Appointed
Regional Senior Judge Thomas A. Heeney 1998[14] Judge Paul J. Henderson
Judge David Aston Judge Denise M. Korpan 2012[15]
Judge Christopher Bondy Judge Margaret A. McSorley
Judge Scott K. Campbell Judge Victor Mitrow
Judge Thomas J. Carey Judge Henry Vogelsang
Judge John A. Desotti
Judge Joseph M. W. Donohue
Judge Marc A. Garson
Judge Jonathon C. George
Judge Kelly A. Gorman
Judge A. Duncan Grace
Judge Pamela L. Hebner
Judge Peter B. Hockin
Judge J. Paul R. Howard
Judge George W. King
Judge Ian F. Leach 2012[14]
Judge Lynne Leitch
Judge Alissa K. Mitchell
Judge Johanne N. Morissette
Judge Kirk W. Munroe
Judge Terrence L. J. Patterson
Judge Renee M. Pomerance
Judge Helen A. Rady
Judge Russell M. Raikes
Judge Steven Rogin
Judge Lynda Templeton
Judge Bruce G. Thomas
Judge Gregory J. Verbeem

Toronto Region

Ontario Superior Court of Justice
Position Name Date Appointed Position Name Date Appointed
Regional Senior Judge Geoffrey B. Morawetz Judge Freya Kristjanson
Judge Jasmine T. Akbarali 2016[9] Judge Emile R. Kruzick
Judge Suhail A.Q. Akhtar Judge Thomas R. Lederer
Judge Beth A. Allen Judge Sidney N. Lederman
Judge Todd L. Archibald Judge Wailan Low
Judge Nancy L. Backhouse Judge Ian A. MacDonnell
Judge Edward P. Belobaba Judge Wendy M. Matheson
Judge Carole J. Brown Judge J. David McCombs
Judge Michael F. Brown Judge Thomas J. McEwen
Judge Kenneth L. Campbell Judge John B. McMahon
Judge Peter J. Cavanagh 2016[9] Judge Faye E. McWatt
Judge Victoria R. Chiappetta 2012[11] Judge Ruth E. Mesbur
Judge Robert A. Clark Judge Anne M. Molloy
Judge Michael Code Judge J. Patrick Moore
Judge Barbara A. Conway Judge Edward M. Morgan 2012[16]
Judge David L. Corbett Judge Frederick L. Myers
Judge Katherine B. Corrick Judge Ian V. B. Nordheimer
Judge Bonnie L. Croll Judge Alfred J. O’Marra
Judge Michael R. Dambrot Judge Brian P. O’Marra
Judge James F. Diamond Judge Victor Paisley
Judge Grant R. Dow Judge Laurence A. Pattillo
Judge Todd Ducharme Judge Michael A. Penny
Judge Tamarin M. Dunnet Judge Paul M. Perell
Judge Sean F. Dunphy Judge Craig Perkins
Judge Mario D. Faieta Judge Andra Pollak
Judge Stephen E. Firestone Judge Michael G. Quigley
Judge Maureen D. Forestell Judge Harriet E. Sachs
Judge E. Eva Frank Judge Mary A. Sanderson
Judge Arthur M. Gans (supernumerary) Judge Gertrude F. Speigel
Judge Nola E. Garton Judge Nancy J. Spies
Judge Benjamin T. Glustein Judge Suzanne M. Stevenson
Judge Robert F. Goldstein 2012[14] Judge Elizabeth M. Stewart
Judge Susanne R. Goodman Judge David G. Stinson (supernumerary)
Judge Glenn A. Hainey Judge Katherine E. Swinton
Judge Alison Harvison Young Judge Edward F. Then
Judge Susan G. Himel (supernumerary) Judge Julie A. Thorburn
Judge Kenneth G. Hood Judge Darla A. Wilson
Judge Carolyn J. Horkins Judge Janet Wilson (supernumerary)
Judge Jane E. Kelly Judge Herman J. Wilton-Siegel
Judge Frances P. Kiteley Judge Kelly P. Wright

Past justices

References

  1. ↑ http://www.ontariocourts.ca/scj/about/history/
  2. ↑ http://www.ontariocourts.ca/scj/about/court/
  3. 1 2 3 "History of the Court". Ontario Courts. Judges Library. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Jurisdiction of the Courts". Ontario Courts. Judges Library. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  5. ↑ Constitution Act, 1982, being Schedule B to the Canada Act, 1982 (UK), 1982, c. 11, ss. 96-101.
  6. ↑ "About the Superior Court". Ontario Courts. Judges Library. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  7. ↑ "About Judges and Judicial Officers". Ontario Courts. Judges Library. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  8. ↑ "Judges of the Superior Court of Justice". Superior Court of Justice. Judges Library. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 "Government of Canada announces judicial appointments in the province of Ontario". Government of Canada. Department of Justice. October 20, 2016. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  10. 1 2 "Ontario Judicial Appointment Announced". Government of Canada. Department of Justice. December 14, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  11. 1 2 3 "Ontario Judicial Appointments Announced". Government of Canada. Department of Justice. November 2, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  12. 1 2 "Ontario Judicial Appointments Announced". Government of Canada. Department of Justice. October 5, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Ontario Judicial Appointment Announced". Government of Canada. Department of Justice. March 2, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  14. 1 2 3 "Ontario Judicial Appointments Announced". Government of Canada. Department of Justice. June 1, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2012.
  15. ↑ "Ontario Judicial Appointments Announced". Government of Canada. Department of Justice. April 10, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  16. ↑ "Ontario Judicial Appointments Announced". Government of Canada. Justice Department. June 22, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
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