Complaints about judicial conduct may result in a formal public hearing. At a public hearing, a hearing panel hears evidence and arguments about the complaint. A hearing panel has four members: two judges, one lawyer, and one community member of the Council.

The hearing panel will decide whether the judge engaged in judicial misconduct. If so, then the hearing panel will impose an appropriate sanction. The hearing panel can also recommend that the judge receive compensation for all or part of their legal fees incurred in the complaints process.

The Council publishes information about upcoming hearings on this website and in the local newspaper.

For information about the use of electronic communication devices in hearings of the Ontario Judicial Council, see the following link: Protocol Regarding the Public Use of Electronic Communication Devices in Ontario Judicial Council Hearings.