Justices of the Peace Review Council

Standards of Conduct

The Associate Chief Justice Co-ordinator of Justices of the Peace sets standards of conduct for justices of the peace. The Associate Chief Justice has established that the following standards govern the conduct of justices of the peace of the Ontario Court of Justice:

  • Ontario Court of Justice’s Principles of Judicial Office for Justices of the Peace
  • Canadian Judicial Council’s Ethical Principles for Judges (2021)

Principles of Judicial Office for Justices of the Peace, Ontario Court of Justice

The Principles of Judicial Office establish standards of excellence and integrity for justices of the peace of the Ontario Court of Justice. The Principles are not a mandatory code of conduct. They give advice to justices of the peace to help them with professional and ethical problems. They also help the public understand the standards of conduct for justices of the peace.

The Review Council considers the Principles in its decisions about complaints.


Ethical Principles for Judges, Canadian Judicial Council

The Canadian Judicial Council’s Ethical Principles for Judges (2021) set out the high standards of conduct for judges. They give advice to judges to help them with ethical and professional problems. They help the public understand the role of judges.

In 2023, the Associate Chief Justice Co-ordinator of Justices of the Peace proposed to the Justices of the Peace Review Council that the Ethical Principles for Judges (2021) form part of the ethical standards governing the conduct of justices of the peace. The Review Council agreed and the Ethical Principles for Judges form part of the ethical standards governing the conduct of justices of the peace of the Ontario Court of Justice.

The Review Council considers the Ethical Principles for Judges in its decisions about complaints.

 

You can find the Canadian Judicial Council’s Ethical Principles for Judges here:

Ethical Principles for Judges