Ontario Judicial Council

Standards of Conduct

The Chief Justice of the Ontario Court of Justice sets standards of conduct for judges. The Chief Justice has established that the following standards govern the conduct of judges of the Ontario Court of Justice:

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

Principles of Judicial Office for Judges of the Ontario Court of Justice

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

The Judicial 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 also help the public understand the role of judges.

In 2023, the Chief Justice proposed to the Ontario Judicial Council that the Ethical Principles for Judges (2021) form part of the ethical standards governing the conduct of judges of the Ontario Court of Justice. The Judicial Council agreed and the Ethical Principles for Judges also form part of the ethical standards of conduct for judges of the Ontario Court of Justice.

The 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