Halton Court Services - COVID-19 Update

In an effort to help slow the rate of COVID-19 infection in Halton and to protect vulnerable populations, all scheduled matters are postponed at the Halton Provincial Offences Court from March 16 to Sept. 11, 2020. This is in response to an order by the Chief Justice of Ontario.

To learn about the latest updates on actions taken by the City of Burlington visit burlington.ca/coronavirus

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1 - Will telephone Early Resolution meetings still take place between March 16 to Sept. 11?

A1 - No, telephone Early Resolution Meetings will also be adjourned to a future date and you will receive a new Early Resolution meeting notice.

Q2 - Will my trial be rescheduled? When?

A2 - Yes, your trial will be rescheduled to a later date. You will receive a new notice of trial in the mail. If you were served with a summons to appear in court, a notification will be sent by mail of your new date to appear.

Q3 - Will my licence be suspended if my trial is postponed?

A3 - Not if your trial was scheduled between March 16 and July 3, 2020. All legislative timelines were extended by the Chief Justice of Ontario. However, if your fine was payable prior to March 15, 2020, you are required to pay your fine on time or risk enforcement action.

Q4 - Are your offices still open?

A4 - No. Halton Provincial Offences Act Court is closed to the public from March 20 until further notice. This closure includes access for stakeholders, defendants, public and enforcement agencies. An Online Intake Court Protocol has been put in place.

All Provincial Offences Act matters scheduled from Monday, March 16, 2020 through to and including Friday, September 11, 2020 will be adjourned and rescheduled to a later date. If you have a matter scheduled during this time, you do not need to attend court. Learn more...

Halton Court Services encourages the public to go to our website www.haltoncourtservices.ca to access many of our services online. Some services can also be completed via email

Q5 - Can I access services on your website?

A5 - Yes. Customers can apply for Early Resolution Meetings, and check the status of their court case using our Court Case Look Up system available at www.Ontario.ca/ticketsandfines.

Q6 - Can I complete my request to extend time to pay application online?

A6 - Yes. You can download the forms from the court’s website and email your application to burlingtoncourt@burlington.ca

Q7 - Can I complete my reopening application online?

A7 - Yes. You can download the forms from the court’s website and email your application. You must have your affidavit affirmed by a commissioner for taking affidavits.

Q8 - Can I access services through email?

A8 - Halton Court Services will accept completed fine extension applications and reopening applications through our burlingtoncourt@burlington.ca email account. You can also check the status of your case through the online Court Case Look Up (see Q5)and via email at burlingtoncourt@burlington.ca.

Q9 - What types of services are available over the phone?

A9 - Telephone inquiries will not be answered during the court closure. Instead, please contact the Halton POA court at burlingtoncourt@burlington.ca for further information.

Q10 - Can I mail in my court application?

A10 - You can mail in your completed fine extension application, reopening application and Offence Notice when selecting the Early Resolution option.

Q11 - Do I have to come to a court office in person for anything?

A11 - No. Halton Provincial Offences Act Court is closed to the public from March 20 until further notice. This closure includes access for stakeholders, defendants, public and enforcement agencies. An Intake Court Protocol has been put in place. Requests for trial may wait until after the court reopens as per the recent Cabinet Order s. 7(1) which suspends all timelines under the POA until the state of emergency has been lifted.

Q12 - Who can I contact for further information?

A12 - You can email us at burlingtoncourt@burlington.ca.

Q13 - My ticket says I have to choose an option within 15 days, but I’m past that time period. Can I get an extension?

A13 - All legislative timelines for tickets that have not expired prior to March 15, 2020 have been extended. Please contact the Halton POA court at burlingtoncourt@burlington.ca for further information about your options.

Q14 - I’m sick, do I have to come to the court office?

A14 - Once court resumes on September 14, do not attend the court office if you are ill or have travelled outside of Canada within the last 14 days. You can send a representative if you are ill or in self-isolation.

Q15 - Where can I get more information about COVID-19?

A15 - Please visit the City of Burlington website, at www.burlington.ca/coronavirus for up-to-date information.

For further COVID-19 information, please visit Halton Region Public Health www.halton.ca/coronavirus