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.

Allowed Avoid
  • Pressed slacks or knee-length skirt
  • Cardigan or blazer in neutral tone
  • Low-heel closed shoes
  • Religious head coverings (face visible)
  • Simple jewellery—wedding band, small studs
  • Ripped jeans or athletic wear
  • T-shirts with slogans or logos
  • Neon colours or sequins
  • Heels above 7 cm or flip-flops
  • Heavy perfume or cologne
Tip: Pack a courthouse-approved reusable water bottle, lint roller, and neutral cardigan the night before—less stress during early-morning security.

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
Fines authorised under Courts of Justice Act, s. 136(4).

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.

Arriving 30 minutes early minimises security delays, earns positive bailiff notes, and provides time to review summons documents.
Quiet hallway outside an Ontario courtroom before jurors arrive

  • Phone fully powered off?
  • Layered clothing packed?
  • Notebook & pen ready?
  • Water bottle filled after security?
  • Arrived 30 min before call time?

Frequently Asked Questions

The bailiff will discreetly inform you and may provide a courthouse sweater or request you return home to change. If time allows, you can quickly purchase neutral attire nearby. Chronic dress violations can lead to dismissal and possible fines for contempt.

If the tracker merely displays time and silent health notifications, most judges allow it. However, it must not record audio or prompt you to respond. Inform the sheriff’s officer during check-in so the device is noted and inspected.

Raise your hand once the witness finishes a sentence. When acknowledged, stand and say, “Your Honour, I could not hear the last answer.” The court will repeat the testimony or adjust microphones. Never interrupt mid-sentence.

Friendly hallway nods are fine, but extended conversations risk perceived bias. Politely decline coffee invites or casual chats. Counsel understand jurors must keep distance to preserve neutrality.

Immediately inform the bailiff or judge. Provide the URL or headline but do not discuss content with fellow jurors. The court will decide whether exposure affects the trial; honesty prevents accusations of misconduct.

Yes, provided the face remains visible for identification. If your covering conceals the face, advise the jury officer; private identification can be arranged with same-gender staff. Courts accommodate sincerely held beliefs under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Remember the three Cs of courtroom etiquette: Clothing, Conduct, and Communication. Mastering them keeps the focus on justice, not the jury box.