What you need to know

Jury Summon — delivery methods

To ensure jury summonses are delivered promptly due to previous mail delivery interruptions, we are using the 3 following methods based on information provided on the Mandatory Jury Eligibility Form:

  • Mail: all jury summonses are being delivered via regular mail.
  • Emails: jury summonses will also be delivered via email. Emails containing the summons will be sent from no_reply@ontariojury.ca.
  • Telephone notification: if no email address is available, an automated outbound phone call will be delivered.

If you receive a summons for jury duty, you must appear at the date, time and location stated on your summons.

Being summoned to jury duty does not make you a juror. You are part of a panel of potential jurors. During jury selection, randomly selected members of the panel will be selected to serve as a juror.

Contact the courthouse

If you need to contact the courthouse after you have been summoned, you’ll find the phone number and email address in the top-left corner of your summons. Please provide your juror number and panel number when contacting them.

Requesting a deferral or excusal

If you have received a jury summons and cannot attend on the scheduled date or are unable to serve, you may request a deferral or an excusal, depending on your situation.

To request a deferral or excusal you can either submit a request online or email or call the courthouse listed in the top-left corner of your summons.

When to request a deferral

You can request a deferral if you cannot attend on your summons date and want to reschedule for a later date (for example, due to sickness, vacation, schooling, etc.).

When to request an excusal

You can request an excusal if one or more of the following applies to you:

  • serving as a juror may cause serious hardship or loss to you or others
  • serving as a juror is against your religion
  • you do not live within a reasonable distance from the court (you have moved)

Judges review requests on a case-by-case basis, and you may need to provide supporting documentation (for example, booked travel, proof of new address, etc.).

No permanent excusals

There are no permanent excusals from jury duty. Any adult citizen in the OHIP database who resides in Ontario may receive a Mandatory Jury Eligibility Form in a future year. If your responses show you to be eligible, you may receive a summons.

Requesting an accommodation

If you receive a summons and require an accommodation (for example, assistive devices, sign language interpreter or other supports) please request one as soon as possible.

To request an accommodation, you can either submit a request online or email or call the courthouse listed in the top-left corner of your summons.

Every effort will be made to provide the support required so you can fully participate.

Moved from address on summons

If you received a summons and it was sent to an address that you no longer live at, you are still required to attend for jury duty.

If you now live an unreasonable distance from the courthouse, you can request to be excused.

To request an excusal, you can either submit a request online or email or call the courthouse listed in the top-left corner of your summons.

A judge of the Superior Court of Justice will consider your request for excusal, based on the information that you provide.

Update your address

If you moved and have not already updated your address with ServiceOntario, contact them to update your information by changing your address online or calling 1-888-376-5197.

The day of jury selection

If you are summoned to jury duty, you need to meet at the location, date and time on your summons.

What you should bring

Important items to bring include:

  • your summons letter
  • a government-issued identification, such as a driver’s license, Ontario Photo Card or passport (your health card is not considered government-issued identification)

You can bring your electronic devices and use them while you are waiting in the jury assembly room, but you must put them away during jury selection in the courtroom.

What you should wear

You do not have to dress formally, but the court expects all jurors to be clean and neat.

How long jury selection will take

Be prepared to spend the entire day at the courthouse. Jury selection can last for a minimum of 1 day and a maximum of 1 week.

Jury panel members go home at the end of each day.

Only jurors selected to serve on a jury who are in deliberations may be sequestered (kept together away from the public and outside influences until they reach a verdict).

Being reimbursed for travelling to the courthouse

If you live more than 40 kilometres from the courthouse and are summoned for jury selection, you may claim a travel allowance. Check the bottom-right section of your summons for instructions.

Parking fees, where applicable, are your responsibility.

Being paid for jury selection

You will not be paid for jury selection.

Only jurors who are selected for criminal or civil trials, and are not being paid by their employer, will receive $120 per day starting from Day 1 of service on all sitting days (including weekends and sequestered days if serving).

If you are not selected as a juror, you are not eligible to receive compensation.

If you don’t attend your jury selection

If you received a summons, you are legally required to attend the courthouse for jury selection.

Under the Juries Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. J.3, s. 39(1), any person who has been duly summoned for jury duty and, without reasonable excuse, does not attend in pursuance of the summons or fails to answer when called, is in contempt of court.

If you miss your summons date, please contact the courthouse immediately. You can find their contact information in the top left-hand corner of your summons and online at Ontario court locations, service hours and contacts.

If you are chosen as a juror

If you are chosen as a juror, these are a few important things to keep in mind:

  • A judge will instruct you on what to do next.
  • Trials may begin on the same day the jury is selected and last between a couple of days and a few weeks.
  • You will be told the estimated length of the trial.
  • You will likely go home each day by about 4:30 p.m.
  • You would only stay in a hotel (expenses paid for you) if deliberations have begun but the jury has not reached a decision by late in the evening.

Restrictions for jurors

Jurors must adhere to some restrictions to ensure a fair trial. Instructions will be provided to the jurors. For example, jurors are not allowed to:

  • have any transmitting or receiving devices, such as a mobile phone/device, laptop or tablet in the courtroom
  • post information relating to the trial online or on social media
  • read or watch the news related to the trial

Juror compensation and time off work

Flat daily compensation rate (effective October 1, 2025)

Eligible jurors selected for criminal or civil matters will receive $120 per day starting from Day 1 of service. This applies to all sitting days, including weekends and sequestered days (if applicable).

If you are not selected as a juror, and only attended for jury selection, you are not eligible for compensation.

Compensation eligibility

Compensation is provided only to jurors who are not receiving income from their employer during jury duty. Jurors must complete a self-attestation form to confirm they meet eligibility requirements. However, there is no allowance for childcare expenses or parking.

Time off work

Employers are legally required to allow employees time off for jury selection and serving on a jury. However, employers are not legally required to pay employees for time spent for jury selection or serving on a jury.

Juror Support Program

Jury duty is an important civic responsibility, but it can be stressful. Ontario offers free, confidential counselling through the Juror Support Program for jurors who serve on a criminal or civil trial, or a coroner's inquest.

If you were chosen as a juror and served, you can speak with a qualified counsellor, 24/7, toll-free at:

Provide the access code from the Telus Health brochure you receive after the conclusion of the trial.

Jurors can access up to 4, one-hour counselling sessions in English or French, by phone, in person, email or videoconference. Disability accommodations are available.