For individuals facing domestic violence, the time between a crisis and obtaining legal protection can feel like an eternity. Recognizing this critical gap, the Ontario government has enacted sweeping changes to the Family Law Act, effective this summer of 2025. These amendments, introduced as Bill 72, the Protection Orders and Family Safety Amendment Act, are specifically designed to expedite the process of getting a restraining order, providing immediate relief for victims in Toronto and across the province.

If you are in a situation of domestic abuse, these changes are for you. Here’s a summary of what’s new and the practical steps you can take right now.

The core purpose of the new legislation is to remove barriers and speed up access to the justice system. The days of waiting weeks for a first court appearance for a protection order are over.

This is the most significant change. Previously, getting an urgent restraining order without your abusive partner being present (an ex parte motion) was possible but required convincing a judge of extreme urgency.

• The New Rule: Now, for applications involving allegations of domestic violence, the process is streamlined to be heard ex parte more easily. The court is directed to grant a temporary order quickly based on the victim's evidence alone to ensure immediate safety. The other party will have an opportunity to respond at a follow-up court date, but the initial protection is put in place first.

To bypass administrative delays at the courthouse, the Ministry of the Attorney General has launched a new secure online portal.

• The New Rule: Survivors and their lawyers can now file all documents for an urgent restraining order electronically. The system is designed to triage these applications immediately. Once filed, the court is mandated to provide a hearing date within 48 to 72 business hours.

The old court forms were often complex and intimidating.

• The New Rule: A new, plain-language form has been introduced: Form 8.1 - Application for Urgent Protection Order. This form is shorter, easier to understand, and focuses on the most critical information needed for a judge to assess immediate risk.

Connecting a police report to a family court file used to be a cumbersome process.

• The New Rule: The new digital portal allows you to input a police report number (if one was made). The system provides the presiding judge with secure, direct access to the police summary of the incident, immediately corroborating your sworn affidavit.

These amendments are powerful, but knowing how to use them is key. If you need protection, here is your action plan.

Even with a faster process, evidence is crucial. Keep a confidential record of dates, incidents, text messages, photos, or any other proof of the abuse. If you called the police, have the officer's name and the report number ready.

This is the most important step. A lawyer can navigate the new system efficiently and frame your case in the strongest possible terms. Contact one of these Toronto-based resources:

• The Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic: Offers free legal, counselling, and interpretation services to women who have experienced violence.

• Legal Aid Ontario: Provides funding for a private lawyer or services from a staff lawyer if you qualify financially.

• Assaulted Women's Helpline: A free, confidential 24/7 crisis line that can refer you to emergency shelters and legal support in the GTA.

Your lawyer will help you complete the new, simplified Form 8.1. They will then use the new digital portal to file it directly with the Toronto Superior Court of Justice, triggering the 48-72 hour timeline for your hearing.

Your first hearing will likely be remote (via Zoom or another video platform) and will happen quickly. The focus will be on one thing: your immediate safety. Be prepared to briefly explain to the judge why you and/or your children are at risk and why you need a restraining order now. Your lawyer will guide you through this process.

In a city facing a crisis of intimate partner violence, these amendments are a lifeline. They reduce the dangerous waiting period where an abuser knows their partner is seeking help but before a court order is in place. By making the system faster and more accessible, the Protection Orders and Family Safety Amendment Act empowers survivors to take decisive action to protect themselves and their families.

If you are in danger, please know that the law has changed in your favour. Help is now faster and more accessible than ever before. Do not wait. Take the first step and contact a legal professional or support service today.

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The most significant change in 2025 is the introduction of a new, streamlined process for obtaining an Emergency Protection Order (EPO). This new type of order is designed to be much faster and more accessible than a traditional restraining order, allowing victims of domestic violence to get legal protection in a matter of hours or days, rather than weeks.

An Emergency Protection Order (EPO) is intended for immediate, urgent situations. The key differences are:

• Speed: It can be granted much more quickly, sometimes on the same day you apply.
• Initial Hearing: It can be granted ex parte (without the abuser being present) based on your sworn evidence alone.
• Duration: It is a temporary order, typically lasting for a set period (e.g., 30 days), during which time you can apply for a long-term restraining order if needed.

The 2025 changes have simplified the application process. You can now:

1. Apply Online: A new secure online portal allows you to fill out and submit the required forms from a safe location.
2. Apply In-Person: You can go to any Toronto family courthouse and court staff will guide you to the specialized forms.
3. Get Help: Victim Services and Family Court Support Workers can help you fill out the application and navigate the process.

While legal advice is always recommended, the new process is specifically designed to be accessible for individuals without a lawyer. The forms use plain language, and court staff and victim services are trained to provide assistance with the application itself.

The goal of the new law is speed. Once your application is filed, a judge can review it urgently. In many cases, an order can be issued within 24 to 48 hours. This is a dramatic improvement from the weeks or months it could take to get a traditional restraining order hearing.

An EPO is a legally binding court order. If the abuser violates any of the conditions (e.g., contacts you, comes to your home or work), it is considered a criminal offence. You should call 911 immediately. The police can arrest them and lay criminal charges for breaching the order, providing an immediate and serious consequence for their actions.