Enhancements to the E-file Portal and Case Status Portal

On March 13, 2026, the Ontario Land Tribunal released its latest e-file updates, introducing new features along with a series of improvements and fixes designed to enhance the overall user experience. We also implemented several upgrades to the Case Status portal on our website.

E-file updates:

System-wide Updates

Large File Uploads (up to 500 MB):

• Maximum upload size increased from 125MB to 500MB and added the ability to upload ZIP files improving the ability to submit complete records without the need to send large files separately by email.

Manage and Update Contact Information:

• Users can edit, activate/inactivate contact records at any time, improving data accuracy and reducing duplicate entries. Previously, updates were more limited, which sometimes led to outdated information in the contact list.

For Appellants and their Representatives

More Accurate Appeal Submission (Planning Act matters):

• Questions relating to consistency and conformity with the Provincial Policy Statement, Provincial Plans, and Official Plans have been added to the e-file process. This enhancement enables appellants to clearly identify planning policy issues at the outset, helping ensure their appeal grounds are accurately framed and complete. Incorporating these questions into e-file also supports consistent and comprehensive information capture across all filing methods and assists with appeal validity determination.

For Approval Authority Users

Streamlined Case Management:

• New entry points now allow users to add appeals directly to cases in progress, reducing navigation time and streamlining workflow. Users can review an appeal and immediately connect it to the appropriate case, improving efficiency and simplifying case management.

Ability to Remove Invalid/Withdrawn Appeals:

• A new ‘Validity Issue/Withdrawn’ status allows users to flag appeals with potential issues and forward them to the Tribunal for review. This feature streamlines the removal of non‑jurisdictional or late appeals from the portal – without requiring a full case package – while still maintaining full auditability.

Better Appeal Review Process:

• “Review Status” and Save Review actions now appear at the bottom of the review page, eliminating unnecessary scrolling.

Case Status Portal upgrades:

Several improvements have been introduced to aid transparency and public access:

• Users can now search for a case using any Related Case number, whereas previously the Lead Case Number was required.
• Case Information pages now display the case numbers of all Related Cases, giving users a complete view of all matters associated with a case.
• Notice of Hearing document is now displayed providing users with quick access to details about the appeal and the specific event information.
• The retention for closed cases is extended to 2 years after closure. This represents a substantial improvement over the previous six-week retention period and enhances user access to information, transparency, and the availability of historical tribunal case data.