2. Learn about the IDVC 

There is only one Integrated Domestic Violence Court (IDVC) at 10 Armoury Street in Toronto.

This court deals with families that have criminal and family law cases that involve partner abuse. There is one judge that handles both cases.

You may be able to use the IDVC if:

• your criminal law case involves summary charges, which means you can get a maximum fine of $5,000 or less than 2 years in jail
• your family law case does not involve divorce, dividing property, or child protection
• all parties, including the Crown, the person abused, the accused, and the judge, agree to use the IDVC

There are no trials at the IDVC except for short family law hearings. Longer trials will be held in criminal court or family court.

In family law cases the IDVC can:

• have case conferences
• hear motions and make temporary orders
• make final orders if both sides agree

And in criminal law cases, the court can:

• hear applications to change bail conditions
• have pre-trial meetings
• accept guilty pleas

Family law documents must be filed in person in the court where the case was started, or online using the Ontario Courts Public Portal. They cannot be filed at the IDVC.

Criminal law documents can be filed at the Ontario Court of Justice at 10 Armoury Street. This is the same address as the IDVC.

Only people living in Toronto can use the IDVC.