THUNDER BAY - The Thunder Bay Courthouse will begin hearing in-person trials and preliminary hearings in the Ontario Court of Justice starting next month.
In a notice posted to the Ontario Courts website, the Ministry of the Attorney General has announced the plan to reopen some courthouses across the province beginning July 6.
“All participants in a trial or preliminary inquiry including the accused person(s), counsel and witness(es) will attend in person unless a judge has directed otherwise,” the notice posted to the website reads.
With the reopening of courthouses, the Ministry advises all necessary health and safety precautions will be implemented to protect individuals attending courthouses.
Members of the public who wish to attend inside courtrooms are advised attendance inside courtrooms and courthouses is still restricted.
All proceedings other than trials and preliminary inquiries will be conducted by audioconference or videoconference unless otherwise directed a by a judicial official which includes bail hearings and guilty pleas.
The public is reminded to not attend courthouses if experiencing signs or symptoms of COVID-19.
More updates and information can be found on the Ontario Court of Justice website by going here.
