News Release

For Immediate Release
November 22, 2007

Improving Access To The Civil Justice System A Priority

TORONTO — The McGuinty government has released the Civil Justice Reform Project: Summary of Findings and Recommendations, a commissioned report from the Honourable Coulter Osborne, on ways to improve the civil justice system, Attorney General Chris Bentley said today.

"The people of Ontario will benefit from a strengthened civil justice system that resolves disputes faster with lower costs," said Bentley.  "Mr. Osborne’s report provides important suggestions on how to increase access to our civil justice system.  I look forward to speaking with the judiciary, the legal community and the public about these recommendations."

The summary of the report is available on the ministry’s website in both French and English at www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca.

In June 2006, the government asked Mr. Osborne, a former Associate Chief Justice of Ontario, to propose options for reforming the civil justice system to make it more accessible and affordable.  

Mr. Osborne carried out province-wide consultations, researched civil justice studies and reforms in other jurisdictions, and reviewed over 60 written submissions from legal associations, lawyers, members of the judiciary and the public.  He also established three advisory committees.

"Every day thousands of Ontarians rely on our civil justice system to restore fairness in economic transactions or obtain compensation for harm," said Mr. Osborne.  "I am honoured to have had the opportunity to make recommendations that will make our civil justice system even more effective and accessible."

The summary report contains 81 recommendations touching on 18 areas of procedural and substantive law, including unrepresented litigants, small claims, trial management, appeals, technology, courtroom civility and proportionality.

Attorney General Bentley will be at an event at the Law Society of Upper Canada this afternoon to comment on the summary report.

Mr. Osborne is expected to deliver his full report later this year.

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