Introduction to Court Services Division
Our mission
The Ministry of the Attorney General is responsible for administering justice in Ontario. Within the ministry, the Court Services Division is responsible for the administration of the courts.
The mission of Court Services Division is to commit to a people-first culture, support pandemic backlog recovery, modernize the delivery of accessible and accountable court services, and support a well-trained, professional, and stabilized workforce to deliver quality services for Ontarians.
Our vision
Court Services Division will take a people-first approach to build a modern court service that respects the diverse needs of employees and justice participants, including the members of the public.
Our values
- collaboration
- respect
- innovation
- professionalism
- service excellence
- inclusion
- accountability
- integrity
Court Services Division Strategic Plan
The Court Services Division’s Strategic Plan was updated and launched in 2022. This latest Strategic Plan outlines our division’s post-pandemic recovery vision, mission, values, priorities, and performance goals and measures. The plan aligns with and supports the Ministry of the Attorney General’s mission to modernize the justice system and deliver more services remotely and online to ensure that vulnerable individuals and families have an accessible, responsive, and resilient justice system that inspires public confidence and upholds the rule of the law.
2022–2023 Court Services Division Strategic Plan
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Performance goals |
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Performance measures* |
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*Measures can be quantitative as well as qualitative.
Role of the Assistant Deputy Attorney General
The Assistant Deputy Attorney General (ADAG) of Court Services Division (CSD) oversees the administration of Ontario’s courts and is responsible for legislative, regulatory, and operational policy and program development related to improving the court system. The ADAG is supported by 3 corporate directors, 7 directors of court operation, and 3 executive legal officers.
CSD corporate structure
CSD has 3 corporate branches, each of which is managed by a director who reports to the ADAG of CSD. The corporate branches are responsible for:
Corporate Support Branch |
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Operational Support Branch |
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Program Management Branch |
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Regional structure
For the provision of court services, the division is organized into 7 administrative regions. Each region is managed by a director of court operations (DCO) who reports to the ADAG of CSD. Regions are responsible for:
- Delivering local criminal, civil, small claims, and family court services, including providing frontline services to the public at court counters
- Maintaining records, court recordings, files, exhibits, and databases
- Providing judicial support services, including administrative support, and support for in-person, virtual and hybrid hearings
- Managing and supporting juries
- Overseeing the enforcement of court orders
- Managing and overseeing fines, fees, and trust funds
- Providing support for local court security committees, emergency management planning, and business continuity priorities and projects
- Managing regional justice participant relationships and communications on local and regional matters
- Implementing divisional modernization initiatives at courthouse locations
- Reporting on monthly/annual performance measures and key performance indicators (KPIs)
![Map showing the geographic regions of the Court](https://www.ontario.ca/files/2022-10/csd-ontario-regional-map-2022-10-11.png)