Judges and Justices of the Peace
Judges and Justices of the Peace play a key role in advancing justice education in the province by working with students and educators to increase knowledge and understanding of the justice system. Through the Courtrooms & Classrooms program, Judges and Justices of the Peace have the opportunity to meet with classes and discuss aspects of the law and the justice system that are of concern to students and youth. These dialogues may occur during a classroom visit at a local school, or during a school courthouse visit, where students get the opportunity to see the work of members of the bench up-close.
OJEN is pleased to partner with the Association of the Justices of the Peace of Ontario to make the new Justice of the Peace Bursary available to Ontario high school graduates entering post-secondary studeis in prearation for a career in the justice sector.
Judges and Justices of the Peace are also make significant contributions of time and expertise by presiding over mock hearings, including mock bail and mock trial tournaments.
Participation of Judges and Justices of the Peace in OJEN programs for teachers (such as the Judge Shadowing Program and Teacher Law Institutes) is an important part of OJEN’s professional development activities for secondary school educators teaching Civics 10 and Law 11 & 12 courses.
In each of the eight OJEN regions of Ontario, there is a volunteer regional judicial contact from the Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Justice. Click on the page for your region to learn more.
Examples of the work of Judges and Justices of the Peace in OJEN’s justice education activities are highlighted in the volunteer profiles of Justice Margaret Scott and Justice of the Peace Mark H. Conacher.
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Volunteer Profile: Justice of the Peace Mark H. Conacher
Justice of the Peace Mark H. Conacher understood early in his legal career that: “those in the justice sector should be devoting a portion of their time to education, to spreading a broader understanding of the rule of law and how justice is administered in our province.” His Worship’s ongoing involvement with activities in the Toronto region is evidence of his commitment to increasing this understanding, and points to the role that Justices of the Peace can play in expanding justice education. |
Volunteer Profile: Justice Margaret Scott
Throughout her 13 years on the Bench, and during her time as an OJEN Regional Judicial Contact for the Central East region, Justice Margaret Scott of the Superior Court of Justice has been a driving force behind justice education in Ontario. Justice Scott explains that she “is greatly motivated by seeing the justice education work happening in neighboring communities”. |
