Qualifications and Selection Criteria

Minimum qualifications for consideration for an appointment as a justice of the peace are set out in subsections 2(1.1), (1.2) and (1.3) of the Justices of the Peace Act, as follows:

Qualifications

(1.1) No person shall be appointed as a justice of the peace under subsection (1) unless he or she has performed paid or volunteer work equivalent to at least 10 years of full-time experience and,

(a) has a university degree;

(b) has a diploma or advanced diploma granted by a college of applied arts and technology or a community college following completion of a program that is the equivalent in class hours of a full-time program of at least four academic semesters;

(c) has a degree from an institution, other than a university, that is authorized to grant the degree,

(i) under the Post-secondary Education Choice and Excellence Act, 2000,

(ii) under a special Act of the Assembly that establishes or governs the institution, or

(iii) under legislation of another province or territory of Canada;

(d) has successfully completed a program designated as an equivalency under subsection (1.2); or

(e) meets the equivalency requirement set out in subsection (1.3). 2020, c. 18, Sched. 8, s. 1 (1).

Equivalency programs

(1.2) For the purposes of clause (1.1) (d), the Attorney General may designate programs that involve training in the justice system, including programs designed to enhance diversity in the justice system, as programs that meet the educational equivalency requirement, and shall make the list of programs so designated public. 2020, c. 18, Sched. 8, s. 1 (1).

Exceptional qualifications

(1.3) For the purposes of clause (1.1) (e), a candidate may be considered to have met the equivalency requirement if he or she clearly demonstrates exceptional qualifications, including life experience, but does not have the educational requirements set out in clauses (1.1) (a) to (d). 2020, c. 18, Sched. 8, s. 1 (1).

General Selection Criteria for Evaluating Candidates

In addition, the Act requires the Justices of the Peace Appointments Advisory Committee to develop general selection criteria.

Throughout the application process, candidates shall provide evidence that they meet all of the selection criteria. In addition, the candidate review process will consider the desirability of reflecting the diversity of Ontario’s population in appointments of justices of the peace and an assessment of the skills, abilities and personal characteristics of candidates against those desired in a justice of the peace.

The following have been adopted by the Committee:

1. Proven ability and experience in making sound, practical, and timely decisions with complex factors.
2. Demonstrated a multi-year commitment to high level leadership or achievement in employment or community service, with these pursuits forming an integral part of their professional and community contributions.
3. Awareness and understanding of the breadth, depth, and commitment required for the role of a justice of the peace and the skills and abilities applicable to the vacancy.
4. Keen interest in people and humanity as demonstrated through compassion, empathy, and engagement with aspects of diversity relevant to the vacancies to which you apply.
5. Exhibits superior oral and written communication skills and an ability to present a clear, concise, and well-written application.
6. Work, volunteer, education, or other experience that is clearly relevant and transferable to the duties and responsibilities of a justice of the peace.
7. Ability and willingness to learn, substantiated through the candidate’s record of life-long learning.
8. Exemplifies a strong work ethic, with a proven reputation for reliability and preparedness.  Has the ability to work both co-operatively and independently.
9. Displays a high level of interpersonal skills, character, and integrity.
10. Bilingual ability, if applicable.
11. Possess the required level of experience required to perform the duties of a justice of the peace.

Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics Desired in a Justice of the Peace

Skills and Abilities

• Diverse life skills, experience and/or education that enhance and enable the work of a justice of the peace

Decision Making

• Ability to make sound, practical and timely judgments
• Highly developed intellectual, analytical, and decision-making skills
• Ability to keep an open mind while hearing all sides of an argument
• Ability to remain impartial and to demonstrate good judgment, including in the face of actual and/or perceived conflict of interest

Communication

• Superior active listening skills
• Superior written and oral communication skills in English and, where applicable, in French
• A skilled communicator in addressing diverse groups of people in large and small group settings
• Superior interpersonal skills, including the ability to conduct oneself in a dignified and judicious manner

Professional Skills

• Ability and willingness to learn
• Intermediate to advanced computer skills
• Ability and willingness to travel as required
• Ability to work independently without supervision, and effectively manage a heavy workload
• Ability to work at a fast pace while also handling the stress, pressure, and isolation of judicial role

Personal Characteristics

Social

• Keen interest in people and humanity, including cross-cultural experience and engagement
• A demonstrated commitment to community service
• Awareness of and an interest in regional and social issues that give rise to cases coming before the courts

Interpersonal

• Compassion, empathy, and respect for the essential dignity of all persons
• Courtesy
• Patience
• Moral courage and high ethics
• A reputation for honesty, integrity and fairness
• Strong, dignified interpersonal skills that command authority
• Confidence, with an absence of pomposity and authoritarian tendencies

Professional

• Work ethic, understanding and experience applicable to the vacancy in the court to which the justice of the peace is assigned
• Punctual, reliable, well prepared and organized
• Not involved in serious and/or unresolved criminal charges, professional complaints/claims, civil actions or financial claims including proposals to creditors or family support arrears, bankruptcy or matters with the Canada Revenue Agency