Ontario online courts portal causing delays, say Toronto lawyers

A new online portal launched in Ontario to improve court access is causing delays and complications for lawyers, who report that tasks that once took days now take weeks, undermining case management. While the Ontario Courts Public Portal aims to streamline processes for non-criminal matters, many find it unintuitive and not fully functional, lacking features from its predecessor and creating uncertainty for clients. Lawyers have experienced significant delays in scheduling motions and issuing claims, raising concerns about public confidence in the legal system. The Ontario government plans to expand digital access to criminal cases in the future, but current issues need resolution to ensure effectiveness.