The Ontario Court of Appeal proposes a tentative return model slated to rollout as early as November

The Ontario Court of Appeal has proposed a plan that could welcome in-person hearings as early as November 8. Lawyers will have the option to attend court proceedings virtually if they wish to.

“The Court of Appeal has taken a giant step in the right direction,” said partner Andrew Bernstein in an interview with the Law Times. He added that lawyers and probably judges are all excited with the prospect of going back to court in person.

Andrew said the Ontario courts have been appropriately cautious about reducing COVID-19 exposure risk, and that the appeal court’s new guidelines reflect the legal community’s enthusiasm and caution to return to in-person hearings safely.

“The guidelines that they’ve provided are very sensitive to the needs of lawyers and clients who may have concerns about gathering indoors,” he said, adding that the courts were exceptional in “keeping the train on track” amid the pandemic. Andrew also mentioned that the courts have done an excellent job deciding to return to in-person and should be congratulated for moving forward cautiously.

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