Terms of use

Last updated: July 31, 2024

Terms of Use of the Greffe numérique judiciaire du Québec

Before using the Greffe numérique judiciaire du Québec, the user must read and accept the Terms of Use for depositing bail in criminal matters on weekends or holidays, filing documents and paying judicial fees online or sending courtesy copies to the Superior Court, the Court of Québec and the Human Rights Tribunal.

  1. Using the Greffe numérique judiciaire du Québec
  2. Using the bail deposit service in criminal matters on weekends and holidays
  3. Using document filing and judicial fees payment services
  4. Using the service for sending a courtesy copy to the Superior Court, the Court of Québec and the Human Rights Tribunal
  5. Accepting the terms of use

1. Using the Greffe numérique judiciaire du Québec

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.

2. Using the bail deposit service in criminal matters on weekends and holidays

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.

3. Using document filing and judicial fees payment services

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
  • Pleadings, exhibits and other documents in a court file opened on or after April 24, 2024 for an application dealt with according to the procedure for non-contentious proceedings under section 4, paragraph 4 of the Regulation to establish a pilot project relating to digital transformation of the administration of justice
  • an originating application for a small claim
  • an amended originating application for a small claim
  • a response to a small claim
  • an amended response to a small claim

B) 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
  • 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
  • Application in the course of a small claims proceeding
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.

4. Using the service for sending a courtesy copy to the Superior Court, the Court of Québec and the Human Rights Tribunal

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

5. Accepting the terms of use

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.

Last update : November 28, 2024

Acceptance of the terms of use

Lexius digital court services allow you to access certain court records remotely. You can also use Lexius to file documents with the Court of Québec and Superior Court offices for certain requests and subject to the following terms and conditions.

« Automobile and driver’s licence » : You can complete an online form to electronically file, an application for a restricted licence, an application for release from seizure or an application to lift suspension of a driver’s licence or the right to obtain one with the office of the Court of Québec. You can also submit all the supporting documents for your online application, if applicable.

« Non-contentious proceeding » : You can file a pleading, exhibit or other document with the office of the Superior Court when it relates to a non-contentious proceeding, as described on the « Déposer une demande suivant la procédure non contentieuse » (Information about filings in non-contentious proceedings) page.

« Class action » : You will have access to these services as soon as the appropriate technology is implemented and made available in Lexius. You should be able to file pleadings, exhibits and other documents related to a class action with the office of the Superior Court.

« Commercial proceeding » : You will have access to these services as soon as the appropriate technology is implemented and made available in Lexius. You should be able to file pleadings, exhibits and other documents related to a commercial proceeding with the office of the Superior Court.

With the digital court record access service, after confirming your identity through the authentication process described in, section 1.1, you may remotely access a digital court record as described in, section 1.3, subject to any restrictions imposed by law or court order. This service will be available for class actions and commercial proceedings as soon as the appropriate technology is implemented and made available in Lexius.

Please note that anyone may access a digital court record in a courthouse using the technology designated for that purpose, subject to applicable restrictions.

In order to access Lexius, you must acknowledge that you have read and agree to these terms of use. In the event of any inconsistency between these terms and any law or regulation, the latter shall prevail.

  1. Access to digital court services
  2. Use of digital court services
  3. Special conditions for the document filing service
  4. Intellectual property rights
  5. Protection of personal information
  6. Limitation of liability
  7. Payment of judicial fees
  8. Acceptance of the terms of use

1. Access to digital court services

In order to access the Lexius digital court services, with the exception of the services described in the “Automobile and driver’s licence” section, you must create a user account in accordance with the following procedures:

1.1 If you are a lawyer or notary

If you are a practising lawyer or notary, you must register through a partner (either the Barreau du Québec or the Chambre des notaires du Québec) by visiting the home page of your professional organization’s portal and logging in. Click on the icon associated with your professional organization and enter the same professional email address and password that you use to log in to your professional organization’s portal.

The first time you log in, you will be asked to accept the terms of use and to confirm your permanent court number(s) and contact information (professional home address and phone number, etc.), which is pre-populated in Lexius.

For subsequent logins, you will use the sign-in partner associated with your professional organization.

1.2 Other users

If you are a citizen, bailiff, employee of the Curateur public or any other person not listed in section 1.1, you may create an account by entering your email address and password.

1.3 Special conditions for remote access to digital court records

Only lawyers and notaries who confirm their identity using the authentication method specified in section 1.1 may remotely access digital court records through Lexius for cases in which they are involved. As a result, professionals who log into Lexius using methods other than their designated sign-in partner will not have access to the remote digital court record access service.

In the future, when Lexius implements additional identity authentication methods, certain individuals will also be granted remote access to digital court records, including:

  • The represented natural person who is a party to the file;
  • The natural person acting on their own behalf in the file;
  • The trustee in bankruptcy who is a party to the file.

2. Use of digital court services

2.1 Services

Lexius is accessible at all times, except in circumstances beyond the control of the Ministère de la Justice du Québec (MJQ).

The MJQ also reserves the right to restrict access to Lexius for the purpose of conducting technological infrastructure work.

In either case, the MJQ will inform you of your options while Lexius is temporarily unavailable.

To optimize your Lexius experience, we recommend using the following browsers: Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. We also recommend using the latest version of these browsers and ensuring that your operating system and web browser have the necessary updates and patches.

2.2 Precedence of the court register

In the event of a discrepancy between the information in the “History” tab of a digital court record and the information in the court register, the latter shall prevail.

2.3 User obligations

2.3.1 When creating a Lexius account, you must provide accurate and complete information, and you are responsible for updating it.

If you give out your password, you are liable for any damages that may result, such as from fraud or identity theft.

2.3.2 When using Lexius, you must not undermine the integrity or security of the web platform in any way, including by attempting to circumvent security measures or modify the platform.

2.3.3 When accessing a digital court record, you agree to comply with any restrictions on disclosure or dissemination of the information that may be required by law, regulation or court order.

3. Special conditions for the document filing service

3.1 If you are unable to complete your filing in Lexius during a single session, you may retrieve the incomplete filing for up to 60 days by logging into the portal and going to the “Dépôts en cours de rédaction ou transmis” (drafts and filings) section.

This feature is intended to prevent you from losing the information you have entered in the event of an unexpected interruption in the filing process (e.g., if you are unable to pay judicial fees or need to convert a file format for upload). It is your responsibility to use this feature responsibly and to assess whether it is appropriate to upload a document to Lexius without completing the filing.

3.2 Time of filing

If you file a document online outside of court office hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), the document will be considered filed at the beginning of the next business day.

However, if judicial fees are required, your filing will not be legally accepted until those fees are paid in full. If the court clerk determines the costs and fees after your filing, payment must be made within two days of receipt of a notification stating the amount (pursuant to section 107 of the Code of Civil Procedure and section 224 of the Courts of Justice Act).

3.3 Processing of filings

Online filings with the office of the Court of Québec are processed on a priority basis within 24 hours during office hours, excluding holidays.

Online filings with the office of the Superior Court are processed within 24 to 48 hours during office hours, excluding holidays.

You may designate a filing for expedited processing if the request is considered urgent by law or court instruction.

Documents will be processed in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

3.4 Document format and file size requirements

Pleadings may only be filed as PDF files. Exhibits and supporting documents may be filed as PDF, PNG, GIF or JPEG, MP3, DSS, M4A, MP4, WAV or WMA files.

Users can access tools designed to work with word processing software, making it easy to convert documents into formats compatible with Lexius.

PDF files must not exceed 100 MB. PNG, GIF, JPEG, MP3, DSS, M4A, MP4, WAV and WMA files must not exceed 10 MB.

If the file size exceeds these limits, you can reduce it by lowering the resolution, for example. However, you must keep the original file in its original format and on its original storage medium until the judgment becomes final or until the date of the pleading terminating the proceeding, as provided for in section 10 of the Regulation respecting the Pilot project relating to digital transformation of the administration of justice.

Files that exceed the size limits may be submitted to the court office by other means in exceptional cases.

3.5 Description, coding and date of exhibits and supporting documents

You must provide a detailed description of the exhibit or supporting document being filed in the space provided. For example, under “Description,” you might write: Letter from X to Z, stenographer’s notes, sworn statement, expert opinion, etc.

You must code your exhibits and supporting documents in accordance with the rules and instructions of the court.

You must include the relevant date of the exhibit or supporting document when uploading the file.

Typically, the relevant date is the date on the document itself, but this may vary depending on the nature of your request, the supporting facts or the conclusions sought. If you are filing a batch of similar documents, the relevant date is generally the date of the first document.

For example:

  • For a birth certificate, two dates may be listed: the individual’s date of birth and the date the registrar of civil status issued the certificate. The relevant date may be one or the other, depending on why you are filing the birth certificate: either to prove the person’s date of birth or to show the date the registrar of civil status issued the certificate.
  • For a formal notice, the relevant date is usually the date it was sent. For a contract, it is the date of final signature.
  • A transcript of an examination has two dates: the date of the examination and the date the transcript was made by the stenographer. Generally, the relevant date is the date of the examination.

It is your responsibility to determine the relevant date for the exhibit or supporting document you are filing.

3.6 Batch filing

Each file you upload should contain only one document, with the following exceptions.

A file must contain only one pleading, unless the rules of civil procedure or established practice of the courts and partners indicate that a pleading may or must be accompanied by another document. For example, an originating application may include a summons or notice to appear. Proof of notification of a document may also be attached to that document or its extracts.

While a file should generally contain only one document, you can upload batches of similar documents in a single file. For example, you may include multiple invoices in the same file in a claim for payment for services rendered.

3.7 Discrepancies

If there is a discrepancy between the information you enter on the Lexius platform and the information in the uploaded document(s), your filing may not be processed. To avoid this, make sure you enter the correct information and upload the correct document.

3.8 Filing in an existing court record

Filing in an existing court record is limited to:

  1. For non-contentious proceedings: court records opened since April 24, 2023;
  2. For other matters: court records opened after the Lexius filing service became available for that particular matter (e.g., class actions or commercial proceedings).

3.9 Compliance with the terms of use

If you submit a document that does not comply with the terms of use, it may not be processed by Lexius or the court office, and therefore may not be included in the court record.

4. Intellectual property rights

4.1 Any pleading, exhibit or other document filed through Lexius, including photographs of real evidence, may be included in the digital court record. This allows authorized persons to review the materials subject to any access restrictions imposed by law or court order.

By using Lexius, you authorize the MJQ and the offices of the Superior Court and the Court of Québec to reproduce, publish and make available by telecommunications to authorized persons the documents you file through Lexius for the purpose of maintaining digital court records, filing and remotely accessing the documents in those files. This authorization is granted with no territorial or time limit.

4.2 The Lexius platform and its content—including documents, texts, images and software—are protected by intellectual property rights, in particular under the Copyright Act. Any use of these rights, including reproduction, adaptation or public display, in whole or in part, is prohibited without the written authorization of the MJQ.

If you are authorized to access a digital court record, please note that some documents may be copyrighted by a third party, such as a party to the case.

You agree to respect the copyrights of the documents you access through Lexius, including not reproducing or publicly distributing them for commercial purposes. You must contact the copyright holder for information regarding reproduction restrictions on specific documents.

4.3 The Lexius name is an official trademark of the Gouvernement du Québec. Its use is prohibited without the authorization of the MJQ.

5. Protection of personal information

The MJQ is committed to protecting users’ privacy and personal information. We have taken important steps to protect the personal information collected through Lexius.

For more information on how we collect and manage your personal information, please see the MJQ’s Privacy policy.

6. Limitation of liability

6.1 Limitation of liability for Lexius

By using Lexius, you acknowledge that the MJQ is not liable for any costs, losses or damages that 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 or with a court order.

While the MJQ endeavours to develop Lexius, maintain its content and ensure secure navigation, it cannot guarantee:

a. that the content will always be complete, current or error-free;
b. that Lexius will always be accessible, secure or free from viruses or malware.

Although Lexius may contain legal information, it does not constitute legal advice or a legal opinion. Only a lawyer or notary can provide legal advice for your personal situation.

6.2 Limitation of liability for other sites

While using Lexius, you may be redirected to external websites, for example to make a payment. When this happens, you leave Lexius and the MJQ is not responsible for the security of these other sites, their content or your use of them. Each external site has its own terms of use and privacy policy, which you should review.

6.3 Legal system

Lexius’s 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.

7. Payment of judicial fees and tariffs

7.1 Tariff of judicial fees

Applicable judicial fees are determined by the current Tariff of judicial fees in civil matters and the Bankruptcy and Insolvency General Rules.

7.2 Payment of judicial fees

If judicial fees are required, you will be redirected to a secure payment platform. No banking information is collected by the MJQ, the Superior Court or the Court of Québec.

Where applicable, judicial fees can be paid online at the time of filing or later using the invoice or filing number sent by the court office. Payments can only be made with Visa, MasterCard or American Express.

8. Acceptance of the terms of use

You must acknowledge that you have read and accepted these terms of use by clicking “I accept the terms of use.”

The MJQ reserves the right to change the terms of use at any time with no prior notice. It is your sole responsibility to review the terms of use whenever accessing the Lexius digital court services.