Things are changing by the hour and it looks like later tonight another announcement will be coming about the closure of the Ontario Courts on Tuesday. I was just about to write this post with some suggestions to keep us all safe in the courts as we are there every day at times up to 8 hours at the counters issuing, filing and doing research. Depending on what happens across Canada and as every court is different if the counters do stay open it would be prudent to implement immediately some safe protocols to keep everyone safe and at a distance from each other. Some courts have tiny offices that we attend and people are at times crammed inside all together. My suggestion is that if this is the case for your courthouse that you assign waiting areas in the hallway, etc, anything that would keep people safely away at the 3-6 foot suggestion. Assigning a chit system like we have unofficially done in the past would also help. We are going to strongly suggest to all law firms that if the court in question can issue documents online to do that instead of us attending. Removing pens at the counter is another small tip, each of us should be empowered to come up with ways to keep us all safe. If the counters close to us on Tuesday as well, please do not call Monday for an emergency issuing or filing if you have a limitation date coming up. The courts will obviously grant an extension.
