Appointments Process
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.
Frequently Asked Questions – JAAC
You may apply during the period stated in a JAAC advertisement for applications for judicial appointment. Advertisements are posted on the Ontario Courts website at: /ocj/jaac/advertisements/.
The JAAC advertises for applications for judicial appointment at the request of the Attorney General. These advertisements may be found at /ocj/jaac/advertisements/.
If you would like to receive e-mail notification of advertisements for applications for judicial appointment, go to the Advertisements page of the website and click on the “Subscribe to Notifications (via E-Mail)” link.
You are encouraged to apply to any base court location of interest, even if there are no active vacancies. Additional vacancies may arise during your classification period. However, you must apply to at least one base court location in the advertised region(s).
If you applied to a judicial vacancy prior to June 5, 2025, you must reapply to be considered for judicial appointment.
If you apply after June 5, 2025, you will be classified for three years from the date you submit an application. You may submit a new application for consideration by JAAC when six months or less remain in your three-year classification period.
No, you will not be notified when your classification period has expired. The onus is on the candidate to keep track of their classification expiry date. Your classification period lasts for three years from the date you submit an application.
The current application form is available during an advertising period either by downloading it from the Ontario Courts website at: /ocj/jaac/application/ or by contacting the office of the Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee at JAAC@ontario.ca. (The downloaded version is MS Word format.)
Oral and written French as indicated on the application form are mandatory requirements in order to apply for a bilingual imperative judicial position. If you apply for a position identified as bilingual imperative, you will be required to complete a standardized French language proficiency test at the application stage, on which you must achieve a Superior level of proficiency in order to be considered.
If you are required to complete a language proficiency test, you will be contacted by the JAAC Coordinator. French proficiency tests are valid for five years (as per the French Language Services Office of the Ministry of the Attorney General). However, JAAC will only accept previous test results if they will continue to be valid for the duration of the candidate’s three-year classification period. If you have been tested and your result will be valid for the duration of your classification period, you must submit a copy of the evaluator’s report when applying.
Yes. However, not achieving a Superior level on the test will not be a bar to being considered for a non-bilingual or a “bilingual ability an asset” position.
Yes. If you wish to arrange for French language testing independently and at your own expense prior to applying, contact JAAC at JAAC@ontario.ca for information on how to arrange for Ontario government-approved testing. French proficiency tests are valid for five years (as per the French Language Services Office of the Ministry of the Attorney General). However, JAAC will only accept previous test results if they will continue to be valid for the duration of the candidate’s three-year classification period. If you have been tested and your result will be valid for the duration of your classification period, you must submit a copy of the evaluator’s report when applying.
If you have been tested as part of the JAAC application process and wish to be re-tested within your classification period, you may do so independently at your own expense. Contact JAAC at JAAC@ontario.ca for information on how to arrange for Ontario government-approved testing. You must submit a copy of the evaluator’s report when applying.
No. The Committee requests that you use only the space provided on the application form and do not attach a separate cover letter.
Other than a sentence indicating the advertised location(s) to which you are applying, and a standard e-mail signature with contact information, do not include a message to the Committee in the body of the e-mail.
No, your completed application cannot exceed the page limit specified in the application form instructions.
One signed copy of each release form should be submitted with your application. Please note that a signature is required on the Security Release form even if you have nothing to disclose.
No. The Committee will not consider applications that are not on the current version of the Judicial Candidate Information Form (application form). Please note that this policy is strictly enforced.
No. The application form must be submitted in PDF format in order to ensure integrity of the application. No other format will be accepted.
No. If your application form is not received by 11:59 p.m. on the closing date, your application will not be considered.
The following are mistakes that candidates make in filling out or submitting their application which has resulted in the application not being considered:
- used an outdated (not current) version of the JAAC application form.
- submitted the application in Word format instead of the required PDF format.
- submitted the application after the deadline in the advertisement.
- did not provide a response to all mandatory questions in the application form.
- did not meet the legislated qualifications (e.g. been a member of the Bar of one of the provinces or territories of Canada for at least 10 years).
- applied to a bilingual imperative position which requires a Superior level of French proficiency, and not affirming on the application form that you were able to both conduct a trial and write a judgment in French, or if you had already taken the JAAC French proficiency test and did not achieve Superior level, you do not meet the mandatory requirement for consideration.
Please check your application thoroughly before submission to ensure it is complete. A response should be provided for all mandatory fields in the application. Please also read the instructions for submission carefully.
You should contact JAAC at JAAC@ontario.ca for instructions.
Candidates will be permitted to submit substantive amendments to their application using a prescribed Addendum Form. Only information specified in the form may be provided by a candidate for the Committee’s consideration. Addendum Forms will not be accepted in the first six (6) months of a candidate’s classification period.
Updates to personal contact information, necessary changes to personal suitability or referees, and withdrawal of the application are permitted throughout the classification period by sending an e-mail to JAAC at JAAC@ontario.ca with the necessary updated information in that e-mail.
You must send an e-mail to JAAC at JAAC@ontario.ca with the necessary updated information in that e-mail.
You may revise the court location(s) in which you are willing to sit in an Addendum Form. Addendum Forms will not be accepted in the first six (6) months of a candidate’s classification period.
You may withdraw your application before the closing date for applications or at any time during your three-year classification period. All withdrawals must be clearly stated in writing. E-mail JAAC at JAAC@ontario.ca and in your message state that you wish to withdraw along with your full name and home address.
This information is very helpful in assisting the members to go to the right sources when they do background checks on candidates.
The Judiciary of the Ontario Court of Justice should reflect the diversity of the population it serves. The Committee actively encourages applications from candidates whose appointment would serve to reflect the demographic diversity of the community in which they will preside.
No. The minimum requirement to apply to be a judge in the Ontario Court of Justice is 10 completed years at the Bar in one of the provinces or territories of Canada, or, for an aggregate of at least 10 years, have been a member of such a Bar, and after becoming a member of such a Bar, exercised powers and performed duties of a judicial nature on a full-time basis in respect of a position held under a law of Canada or of one of its provinces or territories.
No. The Committee only requires four references, as described on the last page of the application form.
Yes, you could include the names of judicial officers if you have their permission to do so.
Please refer to the Security Release and Disclosure Form and question #11 on page 11 of the application form.
If the Committee receives sufficient information that the complaint is frivolous or lacking in foundation, then such a complaint will not be a bar to your being considered and interviewed. However, the candidate is responsible for ensuring the removal of such a complaint. The candidate may not be recommended until the complaint has been disposed of.
The Committee requests that you do not send in copies of your curriculum vitae, reference letters or additional materials.
We encourage candidates to continue to apply once eligible. Candidates become eligible to reapply when six months or less remain in their three-year classification period.
Interviewees will generally be asked questions on topics such as, but not limited to, details contained in their applications, current events, social justice issues and challenges confronting the justice system.
The JAAC does not provide feedback to candidates.
No, a candidate’s classification constitutes confidential advice from the Committee to the Attorney General. Your classification is not disclosed to you.