Set date coverage for criminal matters

Reliable Ontario set date appearances for lawyers and paralegals.

GTA Set Dates handles your “to be spoken to” and set date appearances in Ontario Criminal Court. You keep control of the file while we cover the day to day court attendances.

Designed exclusively for licensed lawyers and paralegals practicing criminal law in Ontario.

Principal
Kerlan McLean, Paralegal
Service
Ontario-wide criminal set dates
Clients
Law firms, solo counsel, agents
Simple process

Built for busy criminal practices

A clear workflow so you can delegate routine set dates without losing control of the strategy or messaging.

01
Onboarding

Set up your firm account

Register your firm, upload your letterhead and provide standard instructions for common scenarios, such as first appearance, remand for counsel review, or Crown resolution discussions.

02
Matters

Submit set dates anywhere in Ontario

Submit matter details, courthouse location, next appearance type and your specific instructions. Attach endorsements, Crown emails or prior remand information so we can mirror your approach in court.

03
Results

We attend and report the outcome

An experienced court agent appears, follows your instructions and files any required documents. You receive a same-day report with the next date, endorsements and any issues that require your attention.

Services

Focused set date and “to be spoken to” coverage

GTA Set Dates is not a full-service criminal firm. It is a coverage service for criminal practitioners who need reliable appearances when they cannot be in every courtroom on every list.

  • “To be spoken to” appearances
    Routine remands, confirmation of disclosure status, setting dates for Crown pretrials, judicial pretrials and trial scheduling in accordance with your instructions.
  • Agent appearances on existing matters
    Short adjournments for retained counsel, follow up on disclosure issues, confirmation of counsel and holding dates while you complete negotiations or review material.
  • Out-of-region coverage
    You keep the client. We stand in on out-of-town matters so you do not need to retain local agents one by one.

Why lawyers and paralegals retain GTA Set Dates

You need coverage that is organized, predictable and professional. Our process is designed with that in mind.

Next day coverage subject to availability Written court reports Ontario criminal courts
  • Clear reporting templates that integrate easily into your file management system.
  • Respect for your relationship with the client. We do not solicit, market or accept retainer work from your files.
  • Professional communication before and after each appearance. If something unexpected arises, you hear about it promptly.
Ontario-wide criminal set date coverage.
From the GTA to regional and northern courts.
GTA & Central Ontario Southwest & Niagara East & Durham Northern Ontario (select locations)
Leadership

About Kerlan McLean

GTA Set Dates is led by a licensed paralegal focused on courtroom coverage and support for criminal practitioners.

KM
Kerlan McLean
Principal Paralegal, GTA Set Dates

Kerlan’s practice is focused on efficient, organized and respectful court coverage. The goal is simple. Your client appears on the list, your instructions are followed and you receive a clear report of what occurred and what is next.

Note: GTA Set Dates provides services only to lawyers and paralegals. It does not provide legal advice directly to members of the public.

Professional coverage that fits your practice

Set dates and “to be spoken to” appearances keep files moving, but they consume significant time and travel. Delegating those attendances allows you to stay focused on client meetings, negotiations and substantive hearings.

  • Service model built for repeat work from law firms and solo practitioners.
  • Structured intake so instructions are captured once and applied consistently.
  • Clear understanding of courtroom expectations and professional obligations.
Questions

Frequently asked questions

A quick overview of how GTA Set Dates fits into your criminal law practice.

Who can use GTA Set Dates?

The service is intended for licensed lawyers and licensed paralegals with active criminal practices in Ontario. Members of the public are welcome to ask their counsel to engage us where appropriate.

What types of appearances do you cover?

Routine criminal set dates and “to be spoken to” appearances, including adjournments, scheduling dates and updates on disclosure or Crown pretrial status, in line with your written instructions.

Do you handle guilty pleas or trials?

The core service is set date coverage. Other appearances may be considered on a case by case basis if they are appropriate for a paralegal agent and consistent with the court’s expectations.

How do fees and billing work?

Fees are agreed in advance and invoiced to your firm. Volume and multi-court arrangements can be discussed during onboarding. Clients pay you, and you pay GTA Set Dates for coverage services.

How soon can you cover a new matter?

The earlier a set date is submitted, the better. Short notice appearances may be accommodated subject to availability and court location.

How detailed are your reports?

After each appearance you receive a written summary of what was said, the next date, any endorsements and any follow up items that require your direction.

Ready to delegate your set dates?

Create an account, submit your first matters and let GTA Set Dates handle the routine appearances that keep your criminal files moving.

Scroll to Top