Ontario Judicial Council

Ministry

Attorney General

URL

www.ontariocourts.ca/ocj/ojc

Address

1 Queen Street East, Box 65
TORONTO
M5C2W5

Phone

(416) 327-5672

Fax

(416) 327-2339

Background

Courts of Justice Act (opens a new window)

Function

The primary function of the Ontario Judicial Council is to review and investigate complaints about the conduct of provincially-appointed judges and determine appropriate dispositions. The Council may also review and approve standards of conduct established by the Chief Justice of the Ontario Court of Justice; approve continuing education plans; and consider applications by judges for an order of accommodation.

Membership

The council is composed of, (a) the Chief Justice of Ontario, or another Judge of the Court of Appeal designated by the Chief Justice; (b) the Chief Justice of the Ontario Court of Justice, or another judge of that division designated by the Chief Justice, and the Associate Chief Justice of the Ontario Court of Justice; (c) a regional senior judge of the Ontario Court of Justice, appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council on the Attorney General's recommendation; (d) two judges of the Ontario Court of Justice, appointed by the Chief Justice; (e) the Treasurer of The Law Society of Upper Canada, or another bencher of the Law Society who is a lawyer, designated by the Treasurer; (f) a lawyer who is not a bencher of The Law Society of Upper Canada, appointed by the Law Society; (g) four persons who are neither judges nor lawyers, appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council on the Attorney General's recommendation.

The Chief Justice of Ontario, or another judge of the Court of Appeal designated by the Chief Justice, shall chair the meetings and hearings of the Judicial Council that deal with complaints against particular judges and its meetings held for the purposes of section 45 and subsection 47(5). The Chief Justice of the Ontario Court of Justice, or another judge of that court designated by the Chief Justice, shall chair all other meetings and hearings of the Judicial Council.

Term

The regional senior judge who is appointed under clause (c) remains a member of the Judicial Council until he or she ceases to hold office as a regional senior judge. The members who are appointed under clauses (d), (f) and (g) hold office for four-year terms and shall not be reappointed. Where a vacancy occurs among the members appointed under clause (d), (f) or (g), a new member similarly qualified may be appointed for the remainder of the term.

Meetings

Subcommittees convene as needed to address files. The full Council generally meets four times a year.

Remuneration

Appointees to the Ontario Judicial Council are remunerated $355 per diem.

Appointments & Vacancies