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How to Find Court and Tribunal Decisions on CanLII

Want to see how courts have decided cases like yours? CanLII lets anyone search Canadian decisions for free. Here is how to use it.

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CanLII (the Canadian Legal Information Institute) is a free website with decisions from Canadian courts and many tribunals, plus statutes and regulations.

The short answer

Search by keywords and a court or tribunal, read the summary and conclusion first, and look for recent decisions from your own court or tribunal. Remember that every case turns on its facts.

Searching

  • Use the document text box for keywords, such as "N12 bad faith".
  • Narrow by jurisdiction (Ontario) and court or tribunal, such as the Landlord and Tenant Board or Small Claims Court.
  • Sort by date to find recent decisions.

Reading a decision

  1. Read the headnote or summary, if there is one.
  2. Read the conclusion or order at the end.
  3. Then read the facts and analysis, to see why the decision came out that way.

Which decisions matter most

  • Decisions of the Supreme Court of Canada and the Court of Appeal for Ontario bind lower courts.
  • Tribunal decisions show how a tribunal usually approaches a type of case, but don't bind other members.

Citing a case

Use the case name and neutral citation, for example R. v. Jordan, 2016 SCC 27.

A word of caution

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Small differences in facts can change outcomes. A paralegal or lawyer can tell you how the cases apply to you.

Talk to NEO

Not sure where to start? Book a free first consultation with NEO. Call 647-200-3526 or toll-free 888-519-2435, email info@neolegalservices.com, or book a free consultation.

Sources

Read next: The Law Society Referral Service: A Free First Consultation

General Ontario legal information, not legal advice for your matter, and reading it does not create a retainer. Sources checked 16 October 2026: check the current law, forms and dates before you act.

Photos from Unsplash: photo of library hall · a person holding a cell phone in their hands.

This article is general information for people in Ontario, not legal advice. Rules, forms and deadlines change, and every situation is different. Check the current rule or speak to a licensed legal professional before you act.

Not sure where you stand? A licensed paralegal can look at your documents and tell you your options.

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