Interim Observer Policy – Accessing a Criminal Court Proceeding

The Ontario Court of Justice is committed to upholding the open court principle, which is a hallmark of a democratic society.

Members of the public are welcome to attend any Ontario Court of Justice courthouse in person and observe court proceedings, except for the small number of proceedings where the public is excluded by law or by court order.

Some court proceedings are held in-person only. Others are hybrid, meaning justice participants and others may attend either in-person in the courtroom or virtually. A very small number of court proceedings are virtual only. The Ontario Court of Justice uses Zoom as the platform by which virtual proceedings are conducted.

While there are benefits to hybrid and virtual proceedings, the ability for people to attend virtually also creates a unique risk of misusing the virtual platform, including deliberate disruptions of court proceedings, or so-called “Zoom bombings”. These disruptions are an impermissible attack on the integrity of the justice system and the administration of justice. They can cause unnecessary delays in matters being heard, and can also have lasting, negative impacts for justice participants, court staff, public observers and presiding jurists.

The recent escalation of Zoom bombings in courts across the province has given rise to the need for a formalized interim observer policy for members of the public. Related amendments have been made to the Remote Appearance Code of Conduct.

A. Application of this Policy

This policy applies to:

• Members of the public who are not required to appear on a matter that is before the Court but who are interested in observing the Court’s proceedings virtually

This policy does not apply to:

• Accused persons
• Witnesses and complainants who have been approved by the court to testify virtually
• Counsel for the accused or any other party

B. Virtual-only Courts

Members of the public or the media who wish to observe a court matter which is proceeding only by Zoom, meaning there is no courtroom in which they can attend in person, may request permission to observe virtually by emailing OCJCommunicationsOfficer@ontario.ca.

C. Hybrid Courts (In-person courts that have Zoom capabilities)

Members of the Public to Attend In-Person

As of July 16, 2025, members of the public who wish to observe court proceedings must attend in person at the courthouse or obtain prior authorization of the presiding judge or justice of the peace to attend virtually as an observer. With certain exceptions listed below, virtual observers will not be granted entry to the hybrid courtroom.

Members of the Media

The Court recognizes the essential role the news media plays when reporting on the courts. The news media ensures that the public has access to accurate information about the justice system and court decisions. Therefore, members of the media may email to OCJCommunicationsOfficer@ontario.ca to request permission to attend a proceeding virtually as an observer.

Complainants/Victims

Complainants/victims in a criminal matter who wish to virtually observe the proceedings related to their matter should contact their local Crown Attorney’s office or their local Victim Witness Assistance Program office, if they are a client of the program, to be verified and approved to appear virtually.

Please note that where a complainant/victim is not merely observing the proceedings but is required to give evidence, a judge or justice of the peace hearing the matter must first make an order that the victim does not need to attend in person and is permitted to testify by video.