What's New

Welcome to the “What's New?” section of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador Trial Division (Family) website. This section will include information bulletins, links to news releases, event notices, new publications, speeches, photos and other items.

Court Attire

Access to Court Records in Family Proceedings

Applications Practice Note

A Practice Note on applications was published in the Gazette on October 19, 2012 and is now in force.  It covers a few new procedures for filing documents for applications and outlines what happens when documents for applications are filed late.  A copy of this directive can be found in the Practice Notes section.  Questions and comments should be directed to Angela Whitehead, Legal Officer of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, Trial Division (angelawhitehead@supreme.court.nl.ca / (709) 729-4743). 

Cheques and Money Orders

Effective immediately, cheques and money orders remitted to the Supreme Court must be made payable to “Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador”. Cheques and money orders payable otherwise will be returned for correction. If you have questions, please contact the court house in your area.

Change to Court Attire

Please note that the practice of dispensing with dark clothes in the summer for appearances in Chambers in both the General and Family Divisions of the Trial Division has been DISCONTINUED.

Amendments to Rules 5, 15, 49 and 56A

Changes to Rules 5 (Commencement of Proceedings), 15 (Amendment), 49 (Orders) and 56A (Family Law) will come into force on July 1, 2012. These amendments were published in the Gazette as Regulation 48/12 on May 25, 2012. A Notice to the Profession containing a summary of the changes has been added to the Practice Notes section of this website. Comments on these amendments should be forwarded the Legal Officer of the Trial Division, Angela Whitehead, at (709) 729-4743 or angelawhitehead@supreme.court.nl.ca.

Ex Parte Applications in Family Proceedings

In order to provide some guidance to litigants and their counsel, a new Practice Note relating to applications has been published and was recently uploaded to the Practice Notes section of the court’s website. This new Practice Note applies to all ex parte applications in family proceedings except applications for warrants under the Children and Youth Care and Protection Act. Both the issuance and disposition of such applications are addressed in the Practice Note. If you have any questions or comments, contact the Legal Officer of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, Trial Division, Angela Whitehead at (709) 729-4743 or angelawhitehead@supreme.court.nl.ca

New Scale of Costs in Effect July 1, 2011

A new Scale of Costs was passed by regulation in May 2011. It applies to all matters in the Supreme Court, Trial Division in which an order is made on or after July 1, 2011 for party and party costs to be taxed. This new Scale of Costs replaces the old one and aims to make the issue of costs simpler and more predictable. If you have any questions or comments relating to the new Scale of Costs, please contact the Legal Officer of the Trial Division, Angela Whitehead, at (709) 729-4743 or angelawhitehead@supreme.court.nl.ca.

Expansion of Family Division into the West Coast

As of June 1, 2010, the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador Family Division will expand its jurisdiction to the West Coast of Newfoundland & Labrador. The Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador Family Division will have exclusive jurisdiction for all family law matters which arise in its geographical jurisdiction. Find a description of what areas on the West Coast fall within the judicial area of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador Family Division.

Courthouse Court Office

Important Fee Changes for Self-Represented Litigants in Family Division!

As of June 1, 2010, self-represented litigants will be charged the same court fees as those who are represented by lawyers. The schedule of fees is available online.