It is my pleasure to release the Court Services Division Annual Report for the period covering April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019. Our division has made enormous strides over the past year to ensure we provide effective and accessible justice services to the people of Ontario. As the Assistant Deputy Attorney General (ADAG) for Court Services Division (CSD), I am very proud of the results that we have achieved together.

The past year has brought about a heightened focus on assessing the work that we do and ensuring that we provide Ontarians with the highest value for their money. Throughout this time CSD has remained committed to our strategic goals and priorities see page 5. We continue to support this strategy with operational plans that speak to how each of our regions and corporate branches deliver our commitments.

Modernization of our services continues to be one of the division’s main priorities, driven by our commitment to excellence in customer service and access to justice. One area in which we continue to make great strides is online filing, with expansions happening across the family and civil business lines. We remain committed to providing a full complement of services whether in-person or electronically. These important initiatives, along with a wide range of others included in this Report, are well supported by the strong operational policy and legal work provided corporately and delivered by the engaged and focused staff in the regions. I am proud of our division’s commitment to advancing accessible and accountable court services.

Our staff are the cornerstone of supporting the administration of justice. To deliver excellent service, CSD relies on our knowledgeable and dedicated workforce. My personal goal of moving the division toward being an employer of choice has led to the expansion of our full-time Court and Client Representative (CCR) position. CCR positions provide variety, flexibility, stability and advancement. Supported by a commitment to training, my focus continues to be enhancing and optimizing our collective skills. CSD is about people, not buildings.

Numerous independent partners and stakeholders, each with different priorities, create the justice ecosystem within a courthouse. It is my honour to lead the Court Services Division at this important time. Thank you to all staff in the division who have worked tirelessly and diligently to support CSD’s commitment to provide modern, effective and accessible justice services across the province. The partners and stakeholders we work with everyday count on our division to be the backbone of the administration of the courts, and together we deliver.

Sheila Bristo
Assistant Deputy Attorney General
Court Services Division