Provincial Offences Court – London, ON

Provincial Offences Court – London

The London Provincial Offences Court, located at 824 Dundas Street in the Old East Village, is the judicial facility responsible for the administration and adjudication of non-criminal charges in the City of London and Middlesex County. While the laws enforced here are provincial statutes-primarily the Highway Traffic Act, the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act, the Liquor Licence and Control Act, and the Trespass to Property Act-the court’s administration is managed by the City of London. Additionally, this court handles municipal by-law infractions, such as noise complaints, property standards violations, and parking tickets issued by the municipality.

Dispute Resolution Options

individuals who receive an Offence Notice (commonly known as a ticket) have specific options outlined on the back of the ticket, which must generally be exercised within 15 days:

• Plea of Guilty: Payment of the total payable amount constitutes a guilty plea and a conviction. This is often done to resolve the matter quickly without a hearing.
• Early Resolution: Defendants may request a meeting with a prosecutor to discuss the charge. This option can lead to a resolution without a full trial, such as a reduced fine or a plea to a lesser offence, depending on the evidence and circumstances.
• Trial: A defendant may elect to plead not guilty and request a trial. At trial, the defendant (or their legal representative) appears before a Justice of the Peace to challenge the evidence presented by the enforcement officer.

Facility and Services

The courthouse at 824 Dundas Street is a dedicated facility separate from the criminal courts downtown. It features administration counters for paying fines, filing appeals, and requesting extensions of time to pay. The building is equipped with courtrooms where trials and Early Resolution meetings take place. Visitors should be prepared for security screening upon entry. The court ensures that services are available to the public in both English and French, and interpreters can be requested for trials involving other languages. Accessibility features are present to accommodate persons with disabilities.

Remote and Online Services

In an effort to modernize access to justice, the Provincial Offences Court offers several digital services. Fines can often be paid online through the City of London’s secure portal or the provincial paytickets.ca system (depending on the specific ticket type). Remote hearings via Zoom or teleconference have also become a standard part of court operations for certain types of appearances, allowing defendants to attend proceedings without physically travelling to the courthouse.