Ministère de la Justice (Services Administratifs) – Trois-Rivières, QC

Judicial Administration and Clerk’s Office

The Courthouse Registry (Greffe)

While the courthouse is the venue for trials, the administrative backbone of the judicial system in Trois-Rivières is the Office of the Clerk (Greffe), located within the same complex on Rue Hart. This department acts as the interface between the public and the judiciary. It is distinct from the courtrooms themselves, serving as the filing and processing center for all legal documentation. The staff here are responsible for ensuring that all procedural requirements are met before a case reaches a judge. They handle the reception of lawsuits, defense motions, and evidence submissions for the Superior Court and the Court of Quebec.

Small Claims and Civil Matters

One of the primary functions of this office is managing the Small Claims Division. Citizens wishing to file a claim for amounts under the provincial limit (currently $15,000) must initiate the process here. The staff provides specific guidance on:

• Opening a File: Reviewing forms to ensure the defendant is correctly identified and the dispute is clearly described.
• Mediation Services: coordinating mandatory or voluntary mediation sessions between parties to resolve disputes without a trial.
• Judgment Execution: Assisting successful plaintiffs with information on how to enforce a judgment if the debtor refuses to pay, including the issuance of writs of seizure.

Marriages and Civil Status

The Greffe also serves as a hub for non-litigious civil procedures. It is the designated location for:

• Civil Marriages and Unions: The Clerk of the Court and deputy clerks are authorized to solemnize marriages. Couples must undergo an interview process here to verify eligibility and schedule their civil ceremony, which can take place at the courthouse.
• Civil Status Registers: Processing applications for late declarations of birth or changes of name before they are adjudicated.

Fines and Financial Services

This office houses the Bureau des infractions et amendes (Fines Bureau) for provincial offenses. Citizens can visit this counter to:

• Make payments for fines resulting from provincial statutes (e.g., Highway Safety Code infractions issued by the Sûreté du Québec).
• Arrange payment plans if they are unable to pay the full amount immediately, subject to financial assessment.
• File pleas of not guilty to contest a ticket, after which the clerk will schedule a hearing date.

Bankruptcy and Insolvency

The bankruptcy division within the registry accepts filings related to personal and corporate insolvency. This includes the deposition of assignments in bankruptcy and the processing of discharge applications, working in tandem with Licensed Insolvency Trustees.