I am delighted to enclose our new policy (English and French versions) regarding the use of electronic communication devices during all proceedings before the Ontario Court of Justice. This new Court policy mirrors guidelines recommended last fall by the Canadian Centre for Court Technology, following extensive work by a group that included members of the judiciary, defence counsel, and persons with media experience.
Our Court’s policy adopts the “open court” principle in relation to the use of electronic communication devices while affirming the role of the judiciary to control their courtrooms. The devices include BlackBerrys, other smart phones, tablets, laptops, etc. In general, the unobtrusive use of these electronic devices is permitted, subject always to the discretion of the presiding judicial officer and to publication restrictions imposed by order or statute.
The Court policy is effective March 1, 2013.
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