Skip to main content

Advertisement

Position/Title
Lawyer Member
Member (Part-Time)
Agency
Ontario Review Board
Advertisement Date
13-Feb-2026
Closing Date
02-Mar-2026
File Number
PAS-260006
Position Type
Part-Time
Remuneration
PER DIEM
Roles and Responsibilities

The Ontario Review Board (ORB) seeks candidates who are interested in being appointed as a part-time Legal member.

The Ontario Review Board is an independent adjudicative tribunal created by the Criminal Code of Canada that determines levels of risk and makes decisions and dispositions for persons found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder, or unfit to stand trial, in accordance with Part XX.1 of the Criminal Code.

The board is committed to carrying out its mandate to adjudicate hearings under Part XX.1 of the Criminal Code in an independent, transparent and accountable manner, consistent with its statutory mandate.

The board offers its members an important and challenging opportunity to serve the public in the field of forensic mental health. The Ontario Review Board conducts hearings in respect of persons who have been found by Ontario courts to be either Unfit to Stand Trial or Not Criminally Responsible (NCR) due to a mental disorder. In accordance with its mandate pursuant to Part XX.1 of the Criminal Code, the board is charged with guaranteeing the liberty of those vulnerable individuals subject to its jurisdiction, and at the same time safeguarding the safety of the public. The board typically sits in panels of five, consisting of two legal members (one of whom conducts the hearing as Alternate Chair, as designated by the Chair), two psychiatrists (or a psychologist and a psychiatrist) and a public member. This configuration may change at the direction of the Chair. The board retains jurisdiction over unfit persons until they can be returned to court and found fit, and over NCR persons until they are granted an Absolute Discharge.

Knowledge of and experience with Ontario’s legal system and the Criminal Code is important. Legal members carry out their duties as one of a five-member panel. They will provide legal support to the Alternate Chair, who bears primary responsibility for conducting the hearing, and preparing Reasons for Disposition. All Legal members should expect to train for and assume the duties of an alternate chair. The board holds hearings at designated psychiatric hospitals and in courthouses throughout Ontario. The ability and willingness to travel is therefore essential.

A member:

  • Prepares for and attends hearings as a member of the panel assigned;
  • Reviews and analyzes all evidence, submissions, and/or information thoroughly and makes decisions based on the evidence and/or information and considers and applies relevant law.
  • Reaches decisions and decides issues, including issuing written reasons that are independent and free of outside influence.
  • Issues well-written, understandable and soundly reasoned decisions and reasons for decision in a timely manner, within the time frames established by the Board.
  • May participate in pre-hearing conferences to define and clarify issues and the timing of hearings.
  • Participates in initial training and stays current in the field by engaging in available professional development, participating in meetings of the Board and its members, and, when requested by the Chair, participates in training and education sessions.
  • Complies with policies and practices set out by the Board to meet financial accountability and administrative requirements.
  • Works constructively and contributes to a collegial atmosphere at the Board by sharing knowledge, time and experience with other Board members.
  • Maintains positive, productive and appropriate relationships with stakeholders and all parties appearing before the Board.
  • Ensures equal access, fair treatment and due process in the conduct of hearings.
  • Deals with conflict and sometimes contentious issues at hearings while maintaining decorum, due process, and professional and respectful interactions among all participants.
  • Recognizes and deals appropriately with situations that may involve an issue of bias or conflict of interest in accordance with caselaw and the Board’s Code of Conduct.
  • Acts with integrity and honesty. Actions are guided by the best interests of the Board and the public.

To learn more about the Ontario Review Board please go to https://www.orb.on.ca/.

Government appointees deliver services and decisions in a professional, ethical and competent manner with a commitment to the principles and values of public service.

If appointed you will be subject to the Public Service of Ontario Act, 2006 and Conflict of Interest rules. Information is available on the Office of the Integrity Commissioner’s website: http://www.oico.on.ca/home. You may also be subject to other statutes, regulations, rules or directives that currently exist or may be established which are applicable to agencies, boards or commissions.

The Ontario Review Board is an equal opportunity organization. We will accommodate your needs under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Qualifications

The Adjudicative Tribunals Accountability, Governance and Appointments Act, 2009 provides that all appointments shall be made through a competitive, merit-based process.

  • A Legal member must be a judge of the Federal Court, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice or the Ontario Court of Justice, retired from one of those judicial offices, or a member of the Law Society of Ontario.
  • All Legal members should expect to be ultimately designated as an Alternate Chair and to exercise the responsibilities of conducting and ensuring a fair hearing.
  • An interest in forensic mental health and related issues is an asset.
  • All Legal members must have an in-depth understanding of the concept of justice, fairness, and natural justice.
  • Good oral and written communication skills and an ability to work in an electronic environment are a requirement as they will be assigned the task of preparing the written Disposition and Reasons for Disposition.
  • Good oral and written communication skills in French are an asset.
  • An ability to work cooperatively with other members and board staff is also essential.
  • As a quasi-judicial decision-maker adjudicating upon matters of individual liberty and public safety, all members must have the ability to conduct themselves professionally, and with a high standard of integrity and ethical behaviour.
  • Computer literacy.

Indigenous candidates and those who have demonstrated experience in working with Indigenous individuals and communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

In addition, pursuant to the French Language Services Act, the organization has a statutory obligation to ensure that French services are provided in a manner that is clearly visible, publicized, easily accessible and of equivalent quality to those offered in English. Every person that comes before the board has a right to communication in French and to receive available services in French. As such, the Ontario Review Board is actively seeking candidates who are able to conduct hearings, communicate as necessary and adjudicate in French. Bilingual (French and English) candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Successful bilingual candidates may undergo an assessment to determine language proficiency and ability to deliver French Language Services.

We thank all interested applicants, but only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Please Note

The Ontario Review Board is committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy page to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.

We offer workplace accommodation consistent with the requirements of Ontario's Human Rights Code as well as any accommodation that may be required across the recruitment process. If contacted for a recruitment opportunity and you require a disability-related accommodation in order to participate in the interview process, please contact us at orb@ontario.ca to make your needs known in advance.

Term
2 years
Appointment is by Order in Council for an initial period of up to two years and is subject to renewal for a maximum of 10 years in a given position, upon the recommendation of the Chair.
Time Commitment
Meet as required
Part-time, to be scheduled as necessary.
Expenses
Yes
Legal members are eligible to receive $918 per day. Appointees will receive reimbursement for reasonable expenses in accordance with the Management Board of Cabinet's Travel, Meal and Hospitality Expenses Directive.
Apply