*, *::before, *::after { box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0; padding: 0; }
body {
: ‘Montserrat’, Arial, sans-serif;
36454f;
: 16px;
: 1.75;
padding: 0 24px;
}
h2 {
: clamp(1.15rem, 3vw, 1.45rem);
023054;
font-weight: 700;
margin: 2rem 0 0.7rem;
: 1.3;
}
h3 {
: clamp(0.98rem, 2.5vw, 1.1rem);
023054;
font-weight: 600;
margin: 1.4rem 0 0.4rem;
}
p { margin-bottom: 1.1rem; }
a { 023054; text-decoration: underline; }
ul { margin: 0 0 1.1rem 1.2rem; }
ul li { margin-bottom: 0.4rem; : 0.97rem; }
.accent {
background: #b0c4de;
border-left: 4px solid #023054;
border-radius: 0 6px 6px 0;
padding: 16px 18px;
margin: 1.8rem 0;
: 0.95rem;
023054;
font-weight: 600;
: 1.6;
}
.warning-box {
background: #023054;
border-radius: 8px;
padding: 20px 20px;
margin: 1.8rem 0;
}
.warning-box p {
fff;
margin-bottom: 0.6rem;
: 0.95rem;
}
.warning-box .warn-head {
: clamp(0.95rem, 2vw, 1.1rem);
font-weight: 700;
margin-bottom: 0.3rem;
fff;
}
.warning-box .phone {
display: block;
b0c4de;
: 0.85rem;
font-weight: 600;
margin-top: 10px;
margin-bottom: 0;
}
.warning-box .phone a { b0c4de; text-decoration: underline; }
.warning-box .cta-btn {
display: inline-block;
background: #fff;
023054;
: ‘Montserrat’, Arial, sans-serif;
font-weight: 700;
: 0.88rem;
padding: 10px 20px;
border-radius: 6px;
text-decoration: none;
margin-top: 12px;
}
.cta {
background: #023054;
border-radius: 8px;
padding: 26px 22px;
margin: 2.2rem 0;
text-align: center;
}
.cta p {
fff;
: 0.95rem;
margin-bottom: 1.1rem;
: 1.6;
}
.cta-head {
: clamp(0.98rem, 2.5vw, 1.15rem);
font-weight: 700;
margin-bottom: 0.4rem;
fff;
}
.cta-btn {
display: inline-block;
background: #fff;
023054;
: ‘Montserrat’, Arial, sans-serif;
font-weight: 700;
: 0.9rem;
padding: 11px 22px;
border-radius: 6px;
text-decoration: none;
margin: 5px 6px;
}
.cta-phone {
display: block;
margin-top: 12px;
b0c4de;
: 0.88rem;
font-weight: 600;
}
.cta-phone a { b0c4de; text-decoration: underline; }
.grid {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(200px, 1fr));
gap: 14px;
margin: 1.4rem 0 2rem;
}
.card {
background: #f5f8fb;
border-top: 3px solid #023054;
border-radius: 6px;
padding: 16px 14px;
}
.card h3 { : 0.9rem; margin: 0 0 7px; 023054; }
.card p { : 0.88rem; margin: 0; : 1.6; }
.tbl-wrap {
overflow-x: auto;
margin: 1.2rem 0 1.8rem;
-webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch;
}
table {
width: 100%;
border-collapse: collapse;
: 0.88rem;
min-width: 300px;
}
thead tr { background: #023054; fff; }
thead th { padding: 10px 12px; text-align: left; font-weight: 600; : 0.85rem; }
tbody tr:nth-child(even) { background: #f5f8fb; }
tbody tr:nth-child(odd) { background: #fff; }
tbody td { padding: 10px 12px; border-bottom: 1px solid #d0dce6; vertical-align: top; }
.takeaways {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(180px, 1fr));
gap: 12px;
margin: 1.2rem 0 1.8rem;
}
.takeaway {
background: #023054;
border-radius: 8px;
padding: 14px 14px;
: 0.88rem;
fff;
font-weight: 600;
: 1.5;
}
.faq { margin: 1.5rem 0 2rem; }
.faq-item { border-bottom: 1px solid #d0dce6; padding: 14px 0; }
.faq-item:first-child { border-top: 1px solid #d0dce6; }
.faq-q { : 0.95rem; font-weight: 600; 023054; margin: 0; }
.faq-a { : 0.9rem; 36454f; margin-top: 8px; : 1.65; }
.final {
background: #f5f8fb;
border-radius: 8px;
padding: 28px 22px;
margin: 2.2rem 0;
}
.final h2 { margin-top: 0; }
.final p { : 0.95rem; margin-bottom: 1.1rem; }
@media (max-width: 600px) {
body { padding: 0 16px; : 15px; }
.cta-btn { display: block; margin: 8px 0; text-align: center; }
.warning-box .cta-btn { display: block; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; }
.grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
.takeaways { grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; }
.cta { padding: 20px 16px; }
.final { padding: 22px 16px; }
.accent { padding: 14px; }
.warning-box { padding: 18px 16px; }
}
@media (max-width: 380px) {
.takeaways { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
}
Yes. Jury duty is mandatory in Ontario for eligible Canadian citizens who are summoned. If you receive a jury summons, you are legally required to attend unless you are excused by the court. Failing to attend without approval can result in penalties including fines and a requirement to appear before a judge.
For employees, a jury summons also raises immediate questions about job protection, pay, and what your employer is required to do. Ontario law sets out clear obligations for both sides.
Called for jury duty and unsure what it means for your job?
Employers cannot discipline or terminate you for attending jury duty. If your employment rights are being ignored, get advice before responding to your employer.
Who is eligible for jury duty in Ontario?
To serve on a jury in Ontario, you must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years old, and reside in Ontario. You must also not fall within a category of persons who are ineligible or exempt under the Juries Act.
Who may be ineligible or exempt
Judges, lawyers, police officers, individuals involved in the administration of justice, persons convicted of certain criminal offences, and individuals with serious health limitations that prevent service.
Are seniors exempt?
No. There is no automatic exemption based on age. Individuals may request to be excused due to health issues, mobility challenges, caregiving responsibilities, or significant hardship, but only the court can approve such a request.
Can you refuse or defer?
You cannot simply refuse. You may request to be excused or deferred if you have a legitimate hardship, medical limitation, pre-booked travel commitment, or if serving would cause significant disruption. Only a judge can approve the request.
Your employer’s obligations during jury duty
Under the Employment Standards Act, 2000, employers in Ontario have clear legal obligations when an employee is summoned for jury duty.
| Obligation | What the law requires |
|---|---|
| Time off | Employers must allow employees to take unpaid leave for jury duty |
| Job protection | Employers cannot discipline or terminate an employee for attending jury duty |
| Reinstatement | Employees must be reinstated to their previous position or a comparable one upon return |
| Pay during leave | Employers are not required to pay employees during jury duty, but some do voluntarily |
Did your employer retaliate against you for serving on jury duty?
Job-protected leave means exactly that. If your employer punished you for fulfilling a legal civic obligation, our team can advise you on your options.
Get Legal Advice
Or call us: 1-800-771-7882
Do you get paid for jury duty in Ontario?
Employers are not required to pay employees during jury duty, though some choose to do so voluntarily. For employees who are not compensated by their employer, the province provides a daily juror fee. As of October 2025, jurors who are not compensated by their employer receive $120 per day starting from their first day of service. Previously, jurors were unpaid for the first ten days of service.
How long does jury duty last in Ontario?
Jury selection may take several hours or multiple days depending on the case. If selected to serve, trial length varies significantly. Some trials conclude within a few days, while others, particularly complex criminal matters, can run for several weeks or longer. The court will provide information about the expected duration at the time of selection.
Key facts about jury duty in Ontario
Frequently asked questions about jury duty in Ontario
Is jury duty mandatory in Ontario?
Yes. If you receive a jury summons and are an eligible Canadian citizen residing in Ontario, attendance is mandatory. You may request to be excused or deferred by the court, but you cannot simply ignore the summons. Failing to attend without approval can result in fines and other penalties.
Does my employer have to give me time off for jury duty in Ontario?
Yes. Under the Employment Standards Act, 2000, employers must provide unpaid job-protected leave for jury duty. They cannot discipline, demote, or terminate an employee for attending. Upon completion of service, the employee must be reinstated to their position or a comparable one.
Do you get paid for jury duty in Ontario?
Employers are not legally required to pay employees during jury duty. Jurors who are not compensated by their employer receive $120 per day from the province starting from the first day of service, as of October 2025. Some employers voluntarily continue to pay wages during jury service.
Who is exempt from jury duty in Ontario?
Certain individuals are ineligible or exempt under the Juries Act, including judges, lawyers, police officers, individuals involved in the administration of justice, persons convicted of certain offences, and those with serious health limitations. Seniors are not automatically exempt but may apply to the court to be excused based on hardship or health.
What happens if you miss jury duty in Ontario?
Failing to attend jury duty without court approval can result in a fine, a requirement to appear before a judge, and potentially additional penalties. Ignoring a jury summons is not treated as a minor matter by Ontario courts.
Can you volunteer for jury duty in Ontario?
No. Jury duty in Ontario is based on random selection from the provincial jury roll. There is no process to volunteer for service.
Questions about your employment rights during jury duty?
If your employer has failed to provide job-protected leave, retaliated against you for serving, or refused to reinstate you following jury duty, our team can help. We advise employees across Ontario on employment disputes and workplace rights. Contact us for a confidential consultation.
Call us at 1-800-771-7882 or fill out the form below and we will be in touch.
The article in this client update provides general information and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. This publication is copyrighted by Achkar Law Professional Corporation and may not be photocopied or reproduced in any form, in whole or in part, without the express permission of Achkar Law Professional Corporation. ©
The post Ontario Jury Duty: Is It Mandatory? Who Is Exempt & Do You Get Paid? appeared first on Achkar Law.