At the courthouse:

• To ensure you are on time for any hearing you want to observe, make sure to allow extra time to go through security and to find the courtroom.
• For security purposes, you may be searched before entering the courthouse and/or before entering any particular courtroom. Some courthouses have metal detectors at their entrances and court security officers may ask to search your belongings, including briefcases, backpacks, and purses. Before arriving at the courthouse, make sure you do not have any pocket or utility knives or anything else that may be considered a weapon. These items may be confiscated, and you may be denied entry into the courthouse.
• Taking photographs or video anywhere in the courthouse is not allowed, unless a judge has given you permission to do so.

Inside the courtroom:

• Most court proceedings are open to the public. If the judge has ordered that proceedings be held in camera (in private), a sign will be posted on the door. If you see a sign on the courtroom door saying that the proceeding is not open to the public, do not enter the courtroom.
• Be on time. Because people entering and exiting the courtroom can be very distracting, you may be required to wait outside of the courtroom until an appropriate break in the proceedings.
• When the courtroom is open, please find a seat in the gallery. Standing is generally not permitted in courtrooms.
• Please turn off your cellphone before entering the courtroom. Cell phones should be turned off or kept on silent and kept out of sight when court is in session.
• Members of the public are not permitted to use electronic devices  (e.g. cellphones, cameras, recording devices etc.) in courtrooms unless the presiding judge orders otherwise. Photographs and video recordings are not permitted.
• When the judge enters or leaves the courtroom, everyone in the room must rise, if able,  to show respect. Please rise and remain standing until the registrar invites you to be seated.
• Please remain silent throughout the proceedings. If you need to speak to someone, please step outside the courtroom.
• No food or beverages are allowed in the courtrooms.
• Hats or headwear are not permitted except for religious reasons. Please also remove your sunglasses before entering the courtroom (unless they are required due to a medical condition).
• If you are addressing a judge or associate judge of the Superior Court of Justice, you should call him or her “Your Honour” or “Justice/Associate Justice (last name)”. Deputy judges should be called “Your Honour”.
• Please do not lean on the chair in front of you or put your feet on the chairs.
• Generally, each court has a lunch break, as well as a morning and an afternoon break. The timing of these breaks varies and is at the discretion of the judge.
• Court staff are responsible for maintaining security and decorum in the courtroom. Please comply with any direction that they give you. If you fail to comply with any such direction, you may be asked to leave the courtroom.
• If the Court is already in session, it is customary, as a matter of respect, to bow when entering and leaving the courtroom.

At the courthouse:

• Arrive at least half an hour before your matter is scheduled to begin. You will need to allow extra time to go through security and to find your courtroom. Enter the courtroom and then check in with the Registrar (court staff) before court begins.
• For security purposes, you may be searched before entering the courthouse and/or before entering any particular courtroom. Some courthouses have metal detectors at their entrances and court security officers may ask to search your belongings, including briefcases, backpacks, and purses. Before arriving at the courthouse, make sure you do not have any pocket or utility knives or anything else that may be considered a weapon. These items may be confiscated, and you may be denied entry into the courthouse.
• Taking photographs and/or video anywhere in the courthouse is not allowed, unless a judge has given you permission to do so.

Inside the courtroom:

• Show up on time: Be prompt and prepared for your court date
• Turn off your cell phone. Please turn off your cellphone before entering the courtroom. Counsel, parties, and members of the media may use electronic devices subject to certain conditions and restrictions. For more information, see the Court’s Use of Electronic Devices in the Courtroom.
• Identify yourself to the Registrar when you arrive in the courtroom and to the Court. When your matter is called, proceed to the front and sit at one of the tables. The other party or their lawyer will sit on the other side of the courtroom.
• Always stand when a judge enters or leaves the courtroom or when speaking to a judge. When the judge enters the courtroom, please rise and remain standing until the registrar invites you to be seated.

• If you do not understand what a judge has said or ordered, ask them to explain.

• If you are addressing a judge or associate judge of the Superior Court of Justice, you should call him or her “Your Honour” or “Justice/Associate Justice (last name)”. Deputy judges should be called “Your Honour”.
• No food or beverages are allowed in the courtrooms.
• Hats or headwear are not permitted except for religious reasons. Please also remove your sunglasses before entering the courtroom (unless they are required due to a medical condition).
• Generally, each court has a lunch break, as well as a morning and an afternoon break. The timing of these breaks varies and is at the discretion of the judge.
• Court staff are responsible for maintaining security and decorum in the courtroom. Please comply with any direction that they give you. If you fail to comply with any such direction, you may be asked to leave the courtroom.
• When speaking, ensure you speak clearly and slowly enough for everyone to follow what you are saying.

Counsel should ensure they are familiar with the gowning requirements for any particular proceeding at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice including any Region specific variation.  Gowning Requirements for Counsel