Ontario courthouse exterior at sunrise symbolising official jury processes

How to Request a Jury Duty Deferral in Ontario

Need more time? Ontario law lets you postpone service once for good cause—follow our proven roadmap.

Jump to the 7-Step Guide

Under Ontario’s Juries Act s. 32(2), prospective jurors may postpone their first service date once if a compelling reason exists and proof is supplied. A deferral keeps you eligible for future selection, whereas an excusal releases you entirely. Confirm you meet basic jury eligibility rules before applying.

Deferral (Postponement)

  • Temporary—new date usually within 12 months
  • One request per 3-year cycle
  • Must propose specific alternative week
  • Common reasons: exams, surgery, prepaid travel

Excusal (Release)

  • Permanent for the current summons
  • Used for hardships unlikely to change soon
  • Examples: severe illness, caregiving with no relief
  • See full guide: excusal vs. deferral

Eligible Reasons for a Deferral

Pre-Booked Travel

Provide itineraries, paid invoices, or non-refundable booking confirmations. The trip must have been arranged before you received the summons.

Major Exams or Academic Block Weeks

A registrar timetable or syllabus showing fixed exam dates satisfies the court. Attach a letter from your faculty advisor if possible.

Time-Sensitive Medical Treatment

A physician’s note listing appointment dates or post-operative recovery timelines suffices. The note need not reveal diagnosis details.

Sole Caregiver Obligations

If you are the only caregiver for a dependant, include a care schedule, social-worker letter, or disability-tax-credit proof.

Religious Observance

For service weeks overlapping mandatory observances, provide a dated letter from a faith leader citing the specific holiday.

Critical Work Commitments

Seasonal farmers, contractors, or project leads facing immovable deadlines should attach employer letters and project timelines.

Documents You’ll Need

Court-dated calendar and paperwork illustrating jury deferral planning
Reason Suggested Evidence
Pre-Booked Travel Paid airline tickets, hotel invoice, insurance policy showing non-refund clause.
Academic Exams Official exam schedule, professor email confirming mandatory presence.
Medical Treatment Doctor’s note listing treatment dates; no diagnosis required.
Caregiver Duties Doctor or social-worker letter plus daily care timetable.
Religious Holiday Letter from clergy or governing body referencing specific dates.
Key Work Commitment Employer letter detailing project timeline or seasonal peak.

7-Step Application Guide

  1. Confirm your deadline: Your deferral request must reach the jury office within 14 days of the summons date—not the postal delivery stamp.
  2. Check prior deferrals: If you postponed service within the last three years, the court may refuse another.
  3. Draft a concise request: State your juror number, current service week, reason, and two alternate weeks you can serve.

Where to Send Your Deferral Request

Send by trackable mail or email PDF to one of the five regional hubs:

  • Toronto: 361 University Ave., PO Box 9000, Toronto, ON M5G 2E5  •  toronto-juryoffice@ontario.ca
  • Ottawa: 161 Elgin St., 6-FL, Ottawa, ON K2P 2K1  •  ottawa-juryoffice@ontario.ca
  • Hamilton: 45 Main St. E., Room 280, Hamilton, ON L8N 2B7  •  hamilton-juryoffice@ontario.ca
  • London: 80 Dundas St., 1-FL, London, ON N6A 2X8  •  london-juryoffice@ontario.ca
  • Sudbury: 155 Elm St., Suite 100, Sudbury, ON P3C 1T9  •  sudbury-juryoffice@ontario.ca

Attach the detachable summons coupon or include a clear photo.

  1. Attach evidence: Merge files into one PDF if emailing. Label each page with your juror number.
  2. Send & record: Use Xpresspost or request a read-receipt email. Keep the tracking number.
  3. Follow up: If no acknowledgment arrives within seven business days, phone the Jury Office.
  4. Store originals: Keep all proofs—if approved, you may need them on your new report date.

Copy-and-Paste Email Template

Subject: Request for Jury Duty Deferral – Juror #[JUROR NUMBER]

Dear Jury Clerk Panel,

My name is [FULL NAME], and I am scheduled to report for jury service at 
[CITY] Superior Court on [CURRENT REPORT DATE]. Due to [BRIEF REASON], I 
respectfully request a one-time deferral to the week of [PREFERRED WEEK] 
or [SECOND CHOICE WEEK].

Attached: 
• [EVIDENCE 1] 
• [EVIDENCE 2] 

I have not requested a deferral in the past three years and remain willing 
to serve on the new date. Please confirm receipt at your earliest convenience. 
I can be reached at [PHONE NUMBER].

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
[FULL NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[JUROR NUMBER]

What Happens After You Apply

Most jury offices reply within two to four weeks. Approval letters feature the provincial coat-of-arms, a barcode, and your new report date. If more information is required, clerks will contact you by phone or email. Denials arrive on official letterhead and set out reasons—you may still appear in person to explain hardship to the presiding judge.

Action Typical Timeframe Your Next Move
Letter/Email Sent Day 0 Save tracking number or email receipt.
Acknowledgment Received Within 7 business days File the reference number.
Decision Letter 2–4 weeks Note new date or plan in-person follow-up.
Follow-Up Needed After 30 days silence Phone clerk; escalate to Sheriff if required.
Approved Deferral Varies Mark calendar; notify employer.

Jury Deferral FAQ

Ontario courts usually grant one alternative week. Requesting multiple options increases your chance of approval, but the court will choose one. A second deferral is rarely granted without extraordinary circumstances.

Income loss alone rarely warrants a deferral, but combining financial hardship with peak-season proof (e.g., tax returns showing seasonal revenue) strengthens your case. See our employer obligations guide for more strategies.

No. The three-year period between summons remains tied to the original date. After you serve, the clock restarts; if you defer, you may be called again sooner than expected.

Yes. The Employment Standards Act obliges employers to provide unpaid leave on the new report date. Provide the approval letter to HR to update schedules.

Requests arriving less than five business days before your report date are seldom considered. If a sudden emergency arises, appear on report day with documentation and ask the judge directly.

Assume the request is pending and attend court. Bring copies of your deferral application; the judge can confirm status and issue directions. Ignoring the summons risks penalties—see our penalties guide.

A well-documented deferral request protects your civic duty and your schedule—file early, keep proof, and plan for the new date.

Need Permanent Relief? Request an Excusal