Appointments Process

JAAC JPAAC

The Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee was formed in 1988, and the Justices of the Peace Appointments Advisory Committee, in 2007. These committees operate independently of the Ontario Court of Justice. As a convenience, information about their procedures and their work are included here.

Central West, Northeast, Northwest and Toronto Judicial Positions

The Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee recommends to the Attorney General of Ontario candidates for the appointment of Judges to the Ontario Court of Justice. The Committee invites applications for judicial positions across all base court locations in the Central West, Northeast, Northwest and Toronto Regions. Candidates may also express interest in presiding in other base court locations in Ontario. At this time, the Committee will only accept applications from candidates willing to sit in the Central West, Northeast, Northwest and Toronto Regions.

Central West Region:

Base Court Location	Active Vacancies
Brampton	100% Criminal (1) 75% Family/25% Criminal (1)
Halton (Milton / Burlington)
Hamilton
Orangeville	75% Criminal/25% Family (1)
Simcoe / Cayuga / Brantford	Brantford – 100% Criminal (1) Simcoe / Cayuga / Brantford – 50% Criminal/50% Family (1)
St. Catharines (Niagara)	Niagara – 100% Criminal (1)
Welland (Niagara)	Niagara – 100% Criminal (1)

Northeast Region:

Base Court Location	Active Vacancies
Cochrane
Elliot Lake
Gore Bay (Espanola / Manitoulin)	Espanola / Manitoulin – 50% Criminal/50% Family (1)
Kirkland Lake / Haileybury	Kirkland Lake / Haileybury – 50% Criminal/50% Family (1)
North Bay	North Bay – 50% Criminal/50% Family (1)
Parry Sound
Sault Ste. Marie	50% Criminal/50% Family – Bilingual (1)
Sudbury
Timmins	50% Criminal/50% Family – Bilingual (1) Timmins / Cochrane – 50% Criminal/50% Family – Bilingual Ability an Asset (1)

Northwest Region:

Base Court Location	Active Vacancies
Dryden
Fort Frances	Fort Frances / Kenora – 75% Criminal/ 25% Family (1)
Kenora	Kenora – 75% Criminal/25% Family (1)
Sioux Lookout
Thunder Bay	75% Criminal/25% Family (2) 75% Criminal/25% Family – Bilingual Ability an Asset (1)

Toronto Region:

Base Court Location	Active Vacancies
Toronto	75% Family/25% Criminal (2)

Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Candidates who identify bilingual ability as indicated on the application form are required to undergo standardized French language testing to assess their proficiency.

The appointments to the base court locations also involve travel within the regional boundaries and elsewhere in the province of Ontario, as assigned by the Regional Senior Justice and/or the Chief Justice.

The minimum requirement to apply to be a Judge in the Ontario Court of Justice is ten years completed membership as a barrister and solicitor at the Bar of one of the Provinces or Territories of Canada.

NEW PROCESS: The Courts of Justice Act has been amended, resulting in changes to the Committee’s process. Candidates will now be classified as “not recommended”, “recommended” or “highly recommended” across all court locations in which they are willing to sit. The classification period lasts for three years, beginning on the date the candidate applies. Further information regarding the Committee process, as well as Frequently Asked Questions, can be found on the Committee’s website.

All candidates must apply by submitting an electronic copy of the current (September 2025) completed Judicial Candidate Information Form. Any communications from the Committee will be sent by email. Please ensure that a suitable email address is provided on your application.

If you wish to apply, please refer to the current application form and submission instructions here.

Applications must be on the current prescribed form and RECEIVED BY 11:59 p.m. on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2025. Applications received after this date WILL NOT be considered.

The Judiciary of the Ontario Court of Justice should reflect the diversity of the population it serves. Applications from persons belonging to diverse groups are encouraged.

At a Glance