How are we reaching this goal?
Ensure access to courts
Courts must be adequately staffed and located where people live to make sure people can get access to a judge when needed, especially when fundamental and constitutional rights are at stake
Promote Multi Service Centres
Courthouses should offer mediation, dispute resolution, and informal or non-legal services to make it easy for people to access cheaper and simpler options at any stage of the process
Help people who are representing themselves
Courts should offer services, including early resolution and information services, for people who are navigating the legal system alone
Manage cases effectively
Timelines, simplified procedures, shared experts, and limited number of witness should be agreed to, or insisted on by judges, to make better use of court time and encourage early settlement
Be accessible and user-focused
Courts and procedures need to be modernized to reflect people’s needs, including better use of technology where it can make the process faster or easier without ignoring the needs of vulnerable people
Protect judicial independence
Ensure system improvements do not interfere with a judge’s ability to make independent, ethical decisions to protect people’s rights
This year's progress
There have been many initiatives in 2017 to improve court-based services, while continuing to manage large caseloads across the country. This sampling of projects reflects activities undertaken within this year.
Click here to learn about 2017 activities to advance Goal 3: Make Courts Work Better
Read the whole report here: Tracking Action on Canada's JDG's
Projects Advancing this Goal
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Organization’s English Website |
Projects |
Organization’s French Website |
CANADA-WIDE |
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Digital Audio Recordings |
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Access to Justice Index for Federal Administrative Bodies |
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ALBERTA |
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e-filing Intake, Resolution and Case flow Management program, |
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BRITISH COLUMBIA |
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Standardized terms for criminal orders to improve accuracy, consistent interpretation, |
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Media guide Launch of Nicola Valley Indigenous Court New Support Person Guidelines for self-reps |
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Ministry of the Attorney General
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Self Help Resource Rooms are located in Justice Access Centres Virtual Initial Needs Determination Program Civil Resolutions Tribunal |
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MANITOBA |
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Attendance at Family Law Motions |
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Live Stream of a Court Proceeding (Sentencing July) New bilingual judicial justice of the peace night court in Winnipeg Conferencing capacity between correctional facilities and provincial courts |
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A mental health docket |
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NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR |
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Live webcast of an appeal |
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Court-based ADR, or 'conciliation,' |
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NOVA SCOTIA |
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Video tutorial for self-represented litigants on civil appeals Mental Health Court Program. Les Règles de procédure civile de la Nouvelle-Écosse sont maintenant disponibles en français |
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The Media Liaison Committee |
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Small Claims Court App, |
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NORTHWEST TERRITORIES |
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New Civil Claims Rules Online fee payment |
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ONTARIO |
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Electronic filing Use of third-party remote call in technology for appearances, instead of in-person requirement |
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Ministry of the Attorney General
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Juror Support Program New Bail Directive to reduce pre-trial custody Civil claims online filing Seamless Access to Justice in French |
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QUEBEC |
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Free mediation services to the community |
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Sitting in Trois Rivière Posting decisions on Twitter |
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YUKON |
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Posting decisions on Twitter |
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User friendly forms for filling. |
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© 2017 Canada's Justice Development Goals