The philosopher Heraclitus is attributed with authorship of the phrase “Nothing endures but change”. It is an important maxim for life, particularly with the rate of change that has been a feature in the last five years – where adapting to our changing world too often feels like trying to drink from a firehose.
Change too has come for Ontario’s Courts. In June of this year, a report was published by the senior judges of Ontario Superior Court of Justice (the “ONSC”) outlining a five-year strategic plan, Leading the Justice System Into the Future, outlining a development plan for 2025-2030 that builds on the rapid modernization of our previous 5 years – which in large part was catalyzed by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
We may not want change, but it is upon us, and the leadership of Ontario’s courts is to be commended for their thoughtful approach to how to adjust to the needs of our changing world. For your consideration, a few key takeaways from the report can be found below.
A Clear Set of Objectives
The plan organizes its work around five key objectives:
- Continue Modernization – Every courtroom will be equipped for seamless virtual, hybrid, and in-person hearings. A province-wide, end-to-end digital case management platform will replace fragmented systems, with the first phase launching in Toronto civil and family matters in 2025 and criminal matters in 2027.
- Improve Timely Justice – Court processes and rules will be overhauled to cut delay. Civil Rules reforms targeted for January 2026, improved case management and scheduling practices, and stricter enforcement of timelines all aim to combat what the Court has criticized as a “culture of complacency.”
- Enhance Access to Justice – A redesigned website, user-friendly self-help guides, expanded duty counsel, and province-wide Unified Family Courts will help make justice more comprehensible and reachable, particularly for self-represented and Indigenous litigants.
- Preserve Public Trust and Confidence – New media engagement strategies, better public data reporting, and continuing judicial education will foster transparency and understanding. Notably, the Court will create an AI Committee to study and provide guidance on the responsible use of artificial intelligence by both litigants and the judiciary.
- Improve Courthouse Safety – The Court will work with government and police to set and maintain minimum security standards and adapt to emerging security challenges.
Technology—and AI—at the Centre
For lawyers, the emphasis is on technological competency. Beyond virtual hearings and e-filing, the planned AI Committee signals the Court’s recognition that artificial intelligence will increasingly influence how cases are prepared and argued. Guidance from the judiciary on the appropriate use of AI should give practitioners clearer boundaries as they integrate these tools into their practices. Our Managing Partner Suzana Popovic-Montag commented extensively on this in the August issue of The Probater. My colleague Aaron Chan has also written an excellent series on AI’s impact on the legal industry, which can be found in part here. For counsel and clients alike, the roadmap promises a justice system that is more efficient, predictable, and manageable.
The full Leading the Justice System Into the Future report underscores a simple but important message: modernization and accountability are becoming a strategic focus in Ontario’s justice system. Lawyers who adapt early, including through the thoughtful use of AI, will be well-positioned to serve their clients in this evolving landscape.
Thanks for reading!