Courtroom Etiquette for Ontario Jurors
Dress smart, mind your devices, and communicate with respect—here’s how.
Courtroom etiquette shapes the fairness and efficiency of every Ontario trial. The way you dress, speak, and handle devices can influence perceptions of impartiality and even trigger mistrials. This guide translates Ontario’s Courts of Justice Act and local practice directions into plain-language tips so you walk in confident. For pre-court processes, see our selection guide, and if you’re curious about the full trial day, explore the day-in-the-life timeline.
Dress Code & Personal Presentation
Judges and counsel need to evaluate evidence free from visual distractions. Neutral, clean, and comfortable clothing strikes that balance. Ontario courts keep temperatures around 20 °C, yet vents can blow cold. Think layers: a wrinkle-free cardigan over a plain blouse, or a blazer you can remove quietly. Choose muted tones—navy, charcoal, beige—so jurors appear as one impartial body. Religious attire is welcome if it does not obscure the face, and discrete cultural symbols honour diversity without signalling case bias. Strong fragrances can trigger allergies in closed courtrooms, so go scent-light. Footwear must be closed-toe; bailiffs can refuse flip-flops or platform heels above seven centimetres because they hinder quick evacuation.
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Electronic Devices & Recording Rules
Section 136 of the Courts of Justice Act forbids audio or video recording without express judicial consent. The ban protects witness privacy and preserves trial integrity. Phones must be powered off—not merely silent—before you enter. Smartwatches count as devices; a buzzing wrist can invite confiscation. If you rely on health alerts, advise the sheriff’s officer at check-in; judges can grant case-by-case exemptions with monitoring conditions.
- Attempted audio recording $2 000 fine
- Publishing images to social media $2 000 + contempt
- Repeated device alerts in court Up to 30-day custody
To avoid mishaps, label your phone with your name in case security bins mix items. Print map directions and contact numbers—you will not regain your phone until lunch. Assistive technology (e.g., hearing loops, speech-to-text tablets) is welcome once approved; submit a simple request through the jury officer or see our forthcoming accommodation guide.
Addressing the Judge, Lawyers & Witnesses
Clear, respectful communication keeps the record tidy and the trial moving. When the court clerk announces the judge, stand until invited to sit. Judges are addressed as Your Honour in Ontario’s Superior Court and Your Worship in provincial offences courts—if in doubt, follow the clerk’s lead. Speak only when asked; side comments appear on the court transcript as interruptions that counsel may challenge.
Do
- Stand when the judge enters or exits
- Sit up straight in the jury box
- Address witnesses as “Mr./Ms. Surname”
- Use clear, moderate volume
- Request clarification through the foreperson
Don’t
- Interrupt counsel or witnesses
- Use slang or sarcasm on the record
- Gesture dramatically or roll eyes
- Chat with neighbouring jurors during evidence
- Reference outside media or research
Bring a plain notebook; notes are allowed but remain in court. The bailiff will inspect it at the end of each day. Lawyers may watch jurors closely—polite nods and attentive posture build credibility should you be selected as foreperson.
Entering, Exiting & General Decorum
Courthouse hallways echo. Arrive 30 minutes early, form a quiet line outside the courtroom, and silence footwear that squeaks. Upon first entry each day, nod toward the Royal Coat of Arms above the bench—a tradition of respect dating back to 1792. Eating, chewing gum, or whispering while court is in session can draw a contempt warning. When nature calls, wait for a scheduled break or signal the bailiff; sudden exits during testimony disrupt the court reporter’s flow. Re-entry requires the same silent nod and may involve waiting at the door until the clerk signals.

Morning Self-Check (tap to expand)
- Phone fully powered off?
- Layered clothing packed?
- Notebook & pen ready?
- Water bottle filled after security?
- Arrived 30 min before call time?
Frequently Asked Questions
Remember the three Cs of courtroom etiquette: Clothing, Conduct, and Communication. Mastering them keeps the focus on justice, not the jury box.