Requesting a Jury Duty Excusal in Ontario
When life circumstances make attendance impossible, the law lets you ask for relief—here’s how to do it right.
Scroll to steps ↓Receiving a summons can spark anxiety—especially when health, caregiving, or work realities make service unworkable. Ontario’s Juries Act recognises genuine hardship and permits citizens to seek an excusal (a full release for this selection cycle) rather than a deferral (a new date within 12 months).
This guide explains lawful ways to secure relief. It does not teach jury-dodging. Instead, it walks you through legitimate grounds, documentation, and next steps so you can comply with the court while protecting your livelihood and wellbeing.
Excusal Likelihood Estimator
Tick any statements that apply, then read the instant indicator.
Result: —
Disclaimer: This simple tool is for guidance only. The court makes the final decision.
Valid Grounds for Excusal
Permanent or Indefinite Grounds
Serious Chronic Illness
Long-term conditions (e.g. late-stage heart failure, advanced COPD) that make courtroom attendance unsafe. Action: Include a doctor’s letter dated within three months clearly outlining functional limits, not diagnostic codes.
Cognitive Impairment
Court-recognised incapacity (e.g. court-appointed guardian, major neurocognitive disorder). Provide legal or medical documentation proving sustained inability to understand proceedings.
Active Justice Role
Judges, practising lawyers, police and correctional officers are generally disqualified rather than excused, yet a formal letter speeds removal from the panel.
Permanent Caregiver Duties
Sole caregivers for severely disabled family members with no realistic respite options. Evidence: letter from a health professional plus schedule of care tasks.
Temporary or One-Time Grounds
Non-Refundable Travel
Pre-paid, non-refundable trips booked before receiving your summons. Attach booking confirmations showing purchase dates and cancellation penalties.
Upcoming Surgery
Major surgery scheduled within the jury period plus recovery time exceeding two weeks. Provide surgeon’s scheduling letter with expected downtime.
Short-Term Military Deployment
Reservists called to active duty or essential training during the report week. Include deployment orders or commanding-officer letter.
Acute Financial Hardship
Self-employed individuals or casual workers whose income loss would threaten basic living costs. Include recent income statements and a brief business impact summary.
Sole Trader Peak Season
E.g. farmers during harvest. Courts may grant excusal if no substitute labour exists. Provide seasonal calendar and evidence of reliance on your presence.
Need deeper analysis? See our comprehensive page on valid reasons for jury excusal.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Read every page of your summons. Confirm the report week, reply deadline and the court’s mailing address. Copy both sides of the summons for your records.
- Gather evidence. Doctor’s letters, invoices, deployment orders—anything that objectively supports your claim. Photocopy originals; never send the only copy.
- Draft your request letter. See template below. Keep language factual, respectful, and concise.
- Attach documents securely. Staple or paper-clip to avoid loss. Label each attachment (“Appendix A – Doctor’s note”).
- Send via traceable method within 10 days of receiving the summons. Xpresspost or courier provides tracking. Keep the receipt until you receive a decision.
- Confirm receipt. Once tracking shows delivery, phone the Jury Clerk (number on summons) with your reference number to ensure the package is logged.
- Monitor mail & email. Decisions usually arrive in 2–6 weeks. If silence persists beyond 30 days, call the clerk for status.
Mailing Address for Provincial Jury Clerk
Office of the Jury Clerk
361 University Ave., 5th Floor
Toronto, ON M5G 1T3
For other districts, format follows: [district]-juryoffice@ontario.ca.
Certified mail is recommended; keep copies of everything you send.
Writing an Effective Request Letter
A clear, organised letter speeds review and reduces back-and-forth requests for information. Personal emotion is understandable, but stick to verifiable facts and functional limitations.
[Your Name] [Street Address] [City], ON [Postal Code] [Phone] | [Email] [Date] Jury Clerk Panel [Courthouse Address] Re: Request for Jury Excusal – Summons No. [Summons Number], Panel [Panel Letter] Dear Jury Clerk Panel, I respectfully request to be excused from jury service scheduled for the week of [Report Week] at the [Court Location] courthouse. Grounds: I am the sole caregiver for my 82-year-old father, who requires continuous assistance with mobility and medication. A signed letter from his physician (Appendix A) confirms that no alternate caregiver is available during the summons period. I understand the importance of civic duty; however, complying would leave my father without essential care and pose health risks. Attachments: • Appendix A – Physician letter dated [Date] • Appendix B – Care schedule & contact list Thank you for considering my request. I am available at the above phone number for any clarification. Respectfully, [Signature] [Printed Name]
- Professional tone: polite, free of slang, and centred on facts.
- Evidentiary support: each claim matched with a labelled attachment.
- Deadline awareness: aim to mail within 10 days of summons receipt.
- Readable format: short paragraphs, 12-point font, 1-inch margins.
- Contact info: phone & email for quick clerk follow-up.
What Happens After You Apply
The Jury Clerk logs your request, assigns an internal tracking number, and forwards the file to a judicial officer for decision. You will receive a written response—approval, deferral offer, or denial—with instructions.
If approved, keep the letter; it protects you from future compliance actions. A deferral offer lets you reschedule within 12 months, usually by choosing three alternative weeks. A denial means you must report; however, you may appeal with additional evidence or request a short administrative review.
| Action Point | Typical Timeframe | Your Next Move |
|---|---|---|
| Letter mailed | Day 0 | Save tracking receipt |
| Clerk logs request | Day 1–5 | Call to confirm file number |
| Acknowledgement sent | Day 5–14 | File in summons folder |
| Panel decision | Week 2–6 | Read instructions; mark calendar |
| No response received | After 30 days | Phone clerk; provide tracking no. |
Excusal FAQ
district-juryoffice@ontario.ca) and request an auto-reply receipt. Keep sent-mail logs as proof.Asking for an excusal is a lawful path for genuine hardship—act early, document well, and stay in touch with the clerk.