Legal Project Management Plan & Checklist
Purpose of this Guide: Use this fork for criminal proceedings in the Ontario Court of Justice for Informations sworn on or after June 1, 2026. It guides defence counsel through the strict case management reforms that restrict matters to a maximum of three appearances in case management court before they must be set for trial or resolution.
Jurisdiction: Ontario Court of Justice, operating under the amended Rules of the Ontario Court of Justice in Criminal Proceedings.
The Process at a Glance: Upon the laying of charges, counsel audits the information sworn date. Counsel conducts accelerated onboarding and explains the 3-appearance limit to the client. At the first appearance, counsel establishes status and requests immediate disclosure. At the second appearance, counsel addresses disclosure gaps and resolves any representation issues. At the third appearance, counsel makes the final election and sets trial dates, ensuring that any scheduling delay is recorded and contested.
Key Legislation and Case Law: Governed by the Rules of the Ontario Court of Justice in Criminal Proceedings and the Ontario Courts of Justice Act (Ontario Legislation Portal) s. 109. Delay ceilings are calculated under R. v. Jordan, 2016 SCC 27, and early case management rules are designed to prevent institutional backlog. Service directory details are directed to the Crown Law Office at clbsupport@ontario.ca and regional federal channels. Case law references are search-accessible via CanLII (Canadian Legal Information Institute).
* Disclaimer: We're nobody's lawyer, because we aren't lawyers. You are, so you know better than to take legal advice from an app. We also aren't accountants or dog trainers - just digital spirit guides taking zero liability for any of this. This site exists to gather the collective knowledge of practitioners like you. Verify everything and submit your feedback on the Section 11(b) Trial Delay Application (Accused) - Ontario Case Management Reform Track (3-Appearance Limit) matter plan to improve the playbook. THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE, it's a request for input.
This legal matter plan provides a structured workflow for Criminal Law cases, outlining the standard Litigation process. Utilize these tracking templates to manage your legal cases efficiently.
Verify all prerequisite documentation has been obtained, cross-reference against the statutory requirements for this matter type, and confirm compliance with practice direction protocols.
Prepare the relevant forms and supporting materials required under the applicable legislation, ensuring all mandatory fields are completed and all attachments are properly certified.
Draft and dispatch formal correspondence addressing the procedural requirements at this stage, including any required notices, requests for information, or proposals for resolution.
Coordinate the collection and review of all financial documentation required for disclosure, including statements, valuations, and supporting schedules as mandated by the rules.
Conduct a thorough review of all filed materials to ensure compliance with court requirements, verify service obligations have been met, and prepare for the next procedural milestone.
Assess the strategic considerations for interim applications, prepare supporting evidence, and draft the necessary documentation for urgent or time-sensitive relief sought.
Verify all prerequisite documentation has been obtained, cross-reference against the statutory requirements for this matter type, and confirm compliance with practice direction protocols.
Prepare the relevant forms and supporting materials required under the applicable legislation, ensuring all mandatory fields are completed and all attachments are properly certified.
Draft and dispatch formal correspondence addressing the procedural requirements at this stage, including any required notices, requests for information, or proposals for resolution.
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