Terms of use

1.1. Service

The Digital Court Office of the Ministère de la Justice (MJQ) is available to users at all times subject to the exceptions set out in these terms of use.

The MJQ nevertheless reserves the right to restrict access to the Digital Court Office outside Superior Court, Court of Québec and the Human Rights Tribunal office hours for the purpose of conducting technological infrastructure work. A notice will be posted on the Digital Court Office site to inform the user that such work is taking place.

For an optimal experience with the Digital Court Office, we recommend using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge as your browser. We also recommend that you use the latest version of these browsers and make sure your operating system and web browser have the necessary updates and settings.

1.2. Intellectual property rights

The user allows the Superior Court, the Court of Québec and the Human Rights Tribunal offices to make paper copies of the documents filed electronically through the Digital Court Office.

The user is responsible for obtaining the required authorizations or holding the necessary rights, including copyrights, for the documents they file electronically.

1.3. Privacy policy

The MJQ is committed to protecting users' privacy and personal information. We have taken important measures to safeguard personal information provided through the Digital Court Office.

The handling of personal information by a public body such as the MJQ is governed by the Act respecting access to documents held by public bodies and the protection of personal information (CQLR, chapter A-2.1) (AIA).

Personal information means any identifying information concerning a natural person.

Personal information contained in public documents is not subject to the privacy rules set out in the AIA.

1.3.1 Collection

The MJQ only collects the information it needs to perform its duties in the administration of justice.

1.3.2 Use

Personal information collected by a public body is used only for the purposes for which it was collected, subject to the exceptions set out in the AIA.

1.3.3 Disclosure

The confidential personal information we collect is only disclosed to a third party with the consent of the person concerned or in accordance with the exceptions set out in the AIA.

Personal information shared with us is not disclosed to any private or government organization.

1.3.4 Storage

The MJQ destroys personal information it has collected or used once its purpose has been fulfilled subject to the Archives Act (CQLR, chapter A-21.1).

The information of the party identified in the filing form and the documents sent will be stored in accordance with the Archives Act.

1.4. Limitation of liability

By using the Digital Court Office, you acknowledge that the MJQ is not liable for any costs, losses or damages you may incur:

a) because you did not comply with these terms of use, or

b) because you did not comply with the laws or regulations in effect in Québec.

1.5. Legal system

Digital Court Office use is governed by the laws applicable in Québec. Any dispute arising from these terms of use shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Québec.

The Digital Court Office allows for depositing bail in criminal matters on weekends and holidays.

It is not mandatory to use the Digital Court Office. Bail can be deposited by Interac transfer or in person at a courthouse in the province of Québec.

2.1. Availability of the bail deposit service in criminal matters

The Digital Court Office's bail deposit service in criminal matters is available on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays during the working hours of the Appearance Court Office, from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Accordingly, this deposit will only be processed during the working hours of the Appearance Court Office.

2.2. Depositing bail

Users will be redirected to a secure platform when depositing bail. No banking information is collected by the MJQ or the Court of Québec.

To make an online payment, users will need the case file number and the accused’s sequence number provided by the Appearance Court Office. Payments can only be made with Visa, MasterCard or American Express.

2.3. Information on bail deposit

Information on bail deposit will remain available via the Digital Court Office for 7 days. After this time, users must contact the Appearance Court Office for information.

The Digital Court Office can be used to simultaneously file the following documents electronically with the Superior Court, the Court of Québec and the Human Rights Tribunal, excepting restrictions listed in clause 3.3 of these Terms of Use:

• a single pleading, along with supporting documents if applicable;
• one or more exhibits or any other document related to a single non-contentious application;
• one or more proofs of notification or service;
• a single plea change in penal matters;
• the following documents, if filed by the Agence du revenu du Québec:
  • A single certificate issued under section 13 of the Tax Administration Act or section 54 of the Act to facilitate the payment of support, followed by a discharge, a declaration by the garnishee, an execution report, and any supporting documents;
• a single pleading, along with supporting documents if applicable, or one or more proofs of notification or service related to the Human Rights Tribunal.

The Digital Court Office can also be used to pay judicial fees online.

It is not mandatory to use the Digital Court Office. Parties may in all cases file paper documents with a courthouse in the province of Québec.

3.1. Document format and size

Documents can only be filed in PDF format. The total file size of all attachments must not exceed 100 MB.

3.2. Precedence of the document

If there is a discrepancy between the information in the filing form and the information in the document, the document shall take precedence.

3.3. Restrictions on Digital Court Office use

A) The user must not use the Digital Court Office to file:

• a pleading or any other document with the Court of Appeal of Québec
• an information under the Criminal Code
• a statement of offence in penal matters
• an application for judicial authorization (warrant/telewarrant)
• an application for authorization to institute a class action
• an application for the solemnization of a marriage or a civil union
• an application for a restricted licence
• an application for release from seizure
• an application to lift suspension of a driver’s licence or the right to obtain one
• the records of a notary

B) Lawyers, notaries and bailiffs must not use the Digital Court Office to file any of the following with the office of the Superior Court for the purpose of opening a court record file or adding to a court record file opened on or after April 24, 2023:

• pleadings, exhibits or other documents related to non-contentious applications listed on the page About filing non-contentious pleadings.

C) The user must not use the Digital Court Office to file evidence, except with the following pleadings:

To the Court of Québec:

• Application for seizure before judgment and other application in connection with the execution of judgments presentable before the judge in chambers
• Application for confinement in an institution
• Application under the Public Health Act
• Application for an extension of the time limit for filing a notice to appeal a tax matter
• Application to contest a decision by the Minister under the Tax Administration Act
• Incidental applications and notices of management under the Code of Civil Procedure presentable before the Practice Division
• Application for confinement in an institution (medical reports)
• Acquiescence in application
• Application for transfer of district
• Application for extension of a time limit
• Urgent application under the Tax Administration Act
• Application for consolidation of proceedings
• Application for postponement (e.g., evidence justifying the postponement)
• Youth protection application

To the Superior Court:

• Injunction
• Seizure before judgment
• Application for special mode of notification
• Family:
  • All joint applications
  • All agreements
• Acquiescence in application
• Application for transfer of district
• Application for extension of a time limit
• Application for consolidation of proceedings
• Application for authorization of care

3.4. User’s liability

The user is liable for:

• the accuracy of the information provided in the filing form or during online payment

• any unauthorized use of the filing form, for instance if it violates the restrictions in clause 3.3 hereof or Québec government copyright.

3.5. Timing of payment

Pleadings or documents subject to judicial fees shall be legally received upon full payment of such fees.

In civil or youth matters, you must pay the judicial fees within no more than 2 days of notification of the payment notice for your pleading or document to be considered received on the date it was filed with the court office.

Documents are processed during Superior Court, Court of Québec and the Human Rights Tribunal office hours within 24 to 48 hours after they are sent taking holidays into account; urgent requests are processed within 24 hours.

Documents will be processed in accordance with Superior Court, Court of Québec and the Human Rights Tribunal laws and regulations.

3.6. Documents in a sealed envelope

Documents in a sealed envelope cannot be filed with the Digital Court Office. If the documents contain identifying particulars generally held to be confidential that must be filed in a form that protects the confidentiality of the information, please deliver these documents to the court office by mail or in person in a sealed envelope, making sure to mention the court record file number and contact information of the party or their representative.

3.7. Online payment

3.7.1 Tariff of judicial fees

Applicable judicial fees will be determined in accordance with the corresponding tariffs in effect:

• Tariff of judicial fees in civil matters (CQLR, chapter T-16, r. 10)
• Tariff of judicial fees applicable to the recovery of small claims (CQLR, chapter C-25.01, r. 13)
• Tariff of court costs in penal matters (CQLR, chapter C-25.1, r. 6)
• Regulation respecting certain court costs in penal matters applicable to persons under 18 years of age (CQLR, chapter C-25.1, r. 3)
• Bankruptcy and Insolvency General Rules, Schedule I (C.R.C., chapter 368)
• Central Registry of Divorce Proceedings Regulations (SOR/86-600)
• Regulation respecting fiscal administration (CQLR, chapter A-6.002, r. 1).

3.7.2 Payment of judicial fees

Users will be redirected to a secure platform to pay any judicial fees owing. No banking information is collected by the MJQ, the Superior Court, the Court of Québec or the Human Rights Tribunal.

To make an online payment, users will need the application number in their payment notice. Payments can only be made with Visa, MasterCard or American Express.

The courtesy copy transmission service may be used to send an electronic copy of documents that have already been filed with the court office of the Superior Court and the Court of Québec, in civil and family matters, and with the Human Rights Tribunal so that judges can access them at the hearing, subject to the restrictions listed in clause 4.2 of these Terms of Use.

Users must have their court record file number on hand in order to send a courtesy copy. All documents in one transmission must concern the same court record file.

The courtesy copy transmission service may only be used exceptionally in accordance with the Superior Court and Court of Québec Chief Justices’ instructions and the Directive of the Human Rights Tribunal, if applicable. This service must not be used for other purposes. The document that was filed with the court office will be considered the original, and the courtesy copy will have no legal validity.

4.1 Document format and size

Documents can only be sent in PDF format. The total file size of all attachments must not exceed 100 MB.

4.2 Restrictions

The courtesy copy transmission service must not be used to send documents:

• to the Court of Appeal of Québec
• to the Youth Division of the Court of Québec, including protective and adoption measures
• to the Small Claims Division of the Court of Québec
• in criminal and penal matters
• in marriage and civil union matters
• in non-contentious proceedings
• in appeals of Court of Québec decisions and applications for judicial review in youth matters
• in appeals, extraordinary remedies and other applications in criminal and penal matters
• in appeals to the Professions Tribunal
• in family mediation matters

The user acknowledges and agrees with the following statements:

• By accessing the website of the Digital Court Office and clicking on “I accept the terms of use,” the user acknowledges having read and accepted the terms of use.

• The MJQ reserves the right to change the terms of use at any time with no prior notice to users of the Digital Court Office. The user understands that they are solely responsible for reviewing the terms of use periodically.

• By continuing to access the Digital Court Office and clicking on “I accept the terms of use,” the user acknowledges being aware of and consenting to any changes to the terms of use.