This page summarizes the Ministry of the Attorney General’s Court Services Division (CSD) Policies and Procedures on Public Access to Court Files, Documents and Exhibits, revised April 2019. These policies govern how members of the public, media, and litigants may access court records in Ontario, and outline the principles of openness, judicial control over court records, and the limits imposed by statute, common law, and court order.
The guide affirms that Ontario’s court system is founded on openness and accessibility, subject to judicial direction. As stated in the document, “Ontario’s court system is based on the fundamental principles of openness and accessibility,” and most court documents are publicly accessible unless restricted by law or court order. The Court Services Division is responsible for maintaining court files and ensuring consistent application of access policies across the province.
The policy outlines the general rule that criminal, civil, and family court files are accessible once process is issued, except where legislation such as the Youth Criminal Justice Act, Mental Health Act, Criminal Records Act, or specific Criminal Code provisions restrict access. It also explains how court staff must separate publicly accessible documents from restricted materials using correspondence pockets in civil and family files.
The guide details access rules for search warrants, production orders, peace bond applications, pre‑Enquête hearings, publication bans, in camera proceedings, sealed files, mental health assessments, youth matters, and records subject to discharges, record suspensions, or expungements. It also explains when information may be provided over the telephone, when copies may be made, and when judicial permission is required to view exhibits or obtain digital recordings.
This page is part of LawCap’s public‑interest archive, providing accessible summaries of government policies that affect transparency, accountability, and public access to the justice system. The Ministry’s access policy is essential for understanding how court records are managed, when they can be inspected, and how statutory restrictions interact with the open‑court principle.