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Frequently Asked Questions: CaseLines

1. What is CaseLines?
The Ministry of the Attorney General procured Thomson Reuters CaseLines for the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. CaseLines is a user-friendly cloud-based document sharing and storage e-hearing platform for remote and in-person court proceedings. CaseLines is being rolled out in stages across practice areas and locations. For more information, see the Superior Court of Justice's Notice to the Profession, Parties, Public and the Media.
2. What are the benefits of CaseLines?
Some of the benefits of CaseLines include:
- it is easy to use
- materials of nearly any format can be uploaded and easily organized
- users can make private notes and highlight documents
- terms can be searched in all uploaded documents
- parties can navigate documents and direct opposing counsel and the court to view specific sections, and
- users can view uploaded materials anytime, with or without VPN access.
3. If CaseLines is being used for my matter do I still need to file documents with the court?
Yes. Parties must continue to file documents with the court in accordance with the applicable rules of procedure and Notices to the Profession. CaseLines does not replace court filing and it does not constitute the court record.
- Civil and Family Matters - Counsel and parties are encouraged to issue and file their documents with the court electronically by using the Justice Services Online (JSO) Portal (including the Civil Submissions Online and Family Submissions Online portals), or by email, as directed in each Region’s Notice.
- Criminal Matters - Crown and defence counsel must file materials with the court by email and in advance, in accordance with the applicable rules in the Criminal Proceedings Rules for the Superior Court of Justice (Ontario), the Criminal Code (Canada), and the Superior Court of Justice’s Practice Directions and Regional Notices. For more information, see “What do I need to know about CaseLines for criminal matters?”
- Small Claims Court Matters – Counsel and parties are encouraged to issue and file their documents with the court electronically by using the Small Claims Court Submissions Online portal. Note, Small Claims Court plaintiff’s claims and amended plaintiff’s claims can be filed electronically through Service Ontario’s Small Claims Court E-Filing Service portal.
Once documents are filed with the court, parties must upload the electronic copies of the documents into CaseLines at least 5 days prior to the court date, or at the same time as any filing deadlines that are fewer than 5 days as set out by a rule of the court or Regional Notice. Criminal documents for pre-trial motions are to be uploaded the Thursday prior to the week the motion is set to be argued. Parties will receive an email from CaseLines containing a link to the court matter. Upon receipt of this email, parties must login to CaseLines and upload the material. Uploading to CaseLines is mandatory. Material that is not uploaded to CaseLines will likely not be reviewed by the judicial official in advance.

If support to resolve technical issues is required, contact Thomson Reuter’s technical support at 1-800-290-9378 or email casecentersupport@thomsonreuters.com. This support is available from 8 AM to 5 PM (Monday – Friday).
4. What is the estimated timeline for rolling out CaseLines?

The CaseLines pilot project began August 10, 2020 for selected civil motions and pre-trial conferences in Toronto, with an aim to expand to other practice areas and court locations.

For the status of implementation by region, see Part F of the Superior Court of Justice’s Notice to the Profession, Parties, Public and the Media. Additional information can be found in the Regional Notices.
5. What do I need to know about CaseLines for criminal matters?
CaseLines has been implemented in select criminal matters across Ontario. For more information, see the Superior Court of Justice Notices to the Profession Regarding CaseLines for Criminal Matters in the following regions:
In criminal matters, access to CaseLines is limited to the judiciary, court staff, lawyers, and their designated Crown and defence staff requiring access. Lawyers are prohibited from inviting or providing access to CaseLines to their clients or any other unauthorized persons. Lawyers should plan to share the necessary documents with their clients using other appropriate means.

CaseLines will not be used in criminal matters relating to child pornography or matters involving self-represented persons. In addition, no document referring to a confidential informant will be placed on CaseLines. If Crown or defence counsel receive an inadvertent invitation to upload materials to CaseLines in a child pornography matter, or in a matter where they are aware the party is now self-represented or has changed representation, counsel should notify the Criminal Intake or Administration Office as soon as possible.
6. How will I know if the Superior Court of Justice is using CaseLines for my matter?

CaseLines is being used for many Superior Court of Justice matters. If your case has been selected for CaseLines, you may receive an email from CaseLines inviting you to upload the documents you will rely on at the hearing and that have already been filed with the court. To help ensure you receive email notifications from CaseLines, you should include your email address on all documents that are filed with the court and make CaseLines a trusted sender or regularly check your junk folder for emails from CaseLines. If you do not receive an email notification, you can register in advance for CaseLines here.

Note, you must upload electronic copies of your case materials into CaseLines after the materials have been accepted for filing by the court and at least 5 days in advance of the hearing or at the same time as any filing deadlines that are less than 5 days as set out by a rule of court or a Regional Notices. For further information, see the question “If CaseLines is being used for my matter do I still need to file documents with the court?”, above.
7. What are my responsibilities when using CaseLines?
Licensees and self-represented parties have specific responsibilities when using CaseLines, including for example, adding their email addresses to all court documents, specific document naming protocol, and uploading and marking exhibits and previous orders. For a detailed list of these responsibilities, licensees should review Part B of the Superior Court of Justice’s Notice to the Profession, Parties, Public and the Media.
8. How do I register?

The email invitation you receive from CaseLines will include a registration link. Licensees can also register in advance for CaseLines here.

Licensees should consider bookmarking the CaseLines website to ensure they use the Ontario version of CaseLines and not another jurisdiction.
9. Is there a fee to use CaseLines?
There is currently no charge to use CaseLines.
10. What resources are available to assist me with understanding how to use CaseLines?
The following resources are available:
- Ministry of the Attorney General’s CaseLines Information Sheet
- Superior Court of Justice’s
  - Notice to the Profession, Parties, Public and the Media
  - Standard Document Naming Protocol
  - Frequently Asked Questions about Thomson Reuters CaseLines
  - CaseLines Hearing Tips for Counsel and Self-Represented Parties
For demonstrations, information sessions, and continuing professional development about CaseLines, please see:

The Superior Court of Justice
Thomson Reuters
- An Introduction to Using CaseLines (18-minute tutorial)
- Training Resources
- Recordings of CaseLines demonstrations (April 2021) (1 hour each)
  - Civil
  - Family
  - Criminal
The Law Society
- On-demand CPD Program: Taking a Tour of CaseLines™ (September 22, 2021), which teaches licensees how to navigate CaseLines efficiently
- On-demand CPD Program: Remote Hearings: Practical Considerations (January 15, 2021), which discusses CaseLines
Ontario Bar Association
- CaseLines training (hands-on, regional, or premium)
11. How do I stay up to date on developments regarding CaseLines?

Consider monitoring the Superior Court of Justice’s Notices to the Profession and following the Superior Court of Justice on Twitter, for updates regarding CaseLines.

The Law Society of Ontario will continue to update these FAQs as more information becomes available.

Last Updated: April 25, 2022

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