Changes to First Appearance and 12 week adjournments, June 17th, 2024

As you are aware, the daily Timmins Triage Court (Case Management Court)

was created during the pandemic. Although, Timmins Triage normally works well with

the scheduling of time slots, some minor changes are required to make things more

efficient.

First Appearances in Timmins on Tuesday and Thursday only

As of September 1, 2024, First Appearance Court in Timmins will be held on

Tuesday and Thursday only, from 1:30pm to 2:30pm, weekly. This change is being

implemented since there are no duty counsel available on Wednesday. We are hoping

to make all appearances as meaningful as possible, with a duty counsel available to

attempt to resolve the matter at the first appearance, if at all possible, or at an early

stage of the proceedings.

Timmins Police will be releasing people to a first appearance on the Tuesday

only, with OPP and NAPS releasing them to the Thursday, first appearance court.

Standard 12 week adjournment after counsel has been formally retained

Once counsel has been formally retained, either privately or on a Legal Aid

Certificate, and can also confirm that they are in contact with their client, the matter will

be adjourned for 12 weeks. This will permit the review of disclosure with the client, the

holding of a Counsel Pre Trial and Judicial Pre Trial before the next return date. On the

next return date following the 12-week adjournment, the matter will either be resolved or

a date for trial will be scheduled. This 12-week adjournment is to avoid unnecessary

appearances, reduce the volume of our ever-growing dockets and to ensure that every

court appearance is a meaningful one. However, in order for this work, counsel’s

cooperation and diligence will be required.

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I Thank you for your ongoing cooperation.

Justice Michel R. Labelle

LAJ – Timmins and Cochrane North

June 12, 2024