How hard is it to become a judge in Ontario?
Asked by: Ms. Pasquale Green V | Last update: January 21, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (60 votes)
To work in a superior provincial court or Supreme Court, you need a minimum of 10 years of experience as a lawyer. Becoming a judge is highly competitive, so it typically takes more than 10 years before being appointed.
How long does it take to become a judge in Ontario?
Judicial Appointments
To be considered a candidate for a judicial appointment, an individual must be a lawyer who has practised law for at least 10 years, is proficient in the law, and has the personal qualities, professional skills, abilities, and life experiences that are appropriate to undertake the role of a judge.
How hard is it to become a judge in Canada?
The bare minimum to become a judge is to have ten years as a licenced lawyer, and not piss off too many important people. In practice, you're looking at people with 20+ years in practice, usually Queen's Counsel status, and extensive experience or professional prominence.
How competitive is it to become a judge?
Is Being a Judge Easy? No, the process of pursuing a career as a judge itself is extensive and difficult. Aspiring judges must complete a JD and have several years of experience before considering a career as a judge. Judgeships are also highly competitive and limited, making obtaining this career challenging.
How much does a judge make in Ontario?
The estimated total pay range for a Judge at Ontario Court of Justice is $272K–$296K per year, which includes base salary and additional pay. The average Judge base salary at Ontario Court of Justice is $284K per year.
10 Signs You Should Become A Lawyer
Are judges in demand in Canada?
For Judges, lawyers and Quebec notaries, over the period 2022-2031, new job openings (arising from expansion demand and replacement demand) are expected to total 39,200 , while 49,500 new job seekers (arising from school leavers, immigration and mobility) are expected to be available to fill them.
What type of judge makes the most money?
As directed by these decisions, the salaries were reset to include the missed adjustments, resulting in the salaries of circuit judges set at $209,100, district judges at $197,100, the Chief Justice at $253,000 and the Associate Justices at $242,000.
Is it harder to become a judge or lawyer?
Both are challenging, but, in California, it's more difficult to become a state court judge. I've been fortunate to have filled both positions, but haven't practiced or presided in about 3 years due to a serious accident.
What degree do most judges have?
Most judges have a law degree and prior experience working as a lawyer. A high school diploma, a college degree, and three years of law school are minimum requirements for a law degree.
What is the hardest part of being a judge?
As judges are often quick to say, sentencing defendants ranks near or at the top of the most challenging parts of serving on the bench. Federal sentencing guidelines are discretionary, giving judges some leeway in announcing punishment from probation, in some cases, to prison.
Do you need a PHD to be a judge?
Judges must hold bachelor's and Juris Doctor (J.D.) degrees and pass rigorous examinations.
How long is law school in Canada?
How long is law school in Canada? It usually takes three years to complete law school. After graduating from high school, you'll complete at least three years of undergraduate studies before applying to law school.
Is it hard to be a judge in Canada?
Once you become a lawyer, you practice law for at least five years before you can become a judge. To work in a superior provincial court or Supreme Court, you need a minimum of 10 years of experience as a lawyer. Becoming a judge is highly competitive, so it typically takes more than 10 years before being appointed.
How much do JP make in Ontario?
What are the salary and benefits for a full-time presiding justice of the peace? Full-time presiding justices of the peace are paid $172,010 per annum; in addition, they have a comprehensive pension and insured benefits package, including annual vacation of twenty-two (22) working days.
How are judges selected in Ontario?
The Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee meets to select candidates for interviews from the short list. After reference checks, confidential inquiries and interviews, the Committee sends a ranked list of its recommendations to the Attorney General, who is required to make the appointment from that list.
How old are most judges?
The average age of appointment for Supreme Court judges in the past twenty years is a little under 60 years old. As the figure below shows, this average has varied over time.
Who is the youngest female judge in the world?
Jasmine Twitty. Jasmine Twitty (born December 4, 1989) is an American associate judge for the Easley, South Carolina municipal court.
Who makes more money, judges or lawyers?
Compared to other law-related occupations, lawyers earn the highest median income. Median lawyer pay is higher than judges and hearing officers ($128,610), arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators ($64,030), court reporters and simultaneous captioners ($63,560), and paralegals and legal assistants ($59,200).
How stressful is being a judge?
Judges have the third-most stressful job in the country. There's a reason for that, and it's got a lot to do with a relatively unknown aspect of the job: the secondary (or bystander) trauma trial court judges experience daily. Therapists and physicians I've spoken to say this is one of the major hazards of the job.
Do most judges go to law school?
Not every type of judgeship requires that you get a law degree and become a lawyer. But if you want to qualify to become a judge in a higher court, you must attend an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school and get a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. A full-time J.D. degree program takes three years to complete.
How many hours do judges work?
Most judges and hearing officers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Some courthouses have evening and weekend hours. In addition, judges may have to be on call during nights or weekends to issue emergency orders, such as search warrants or restraining orders.
What is the highest paying job in the world?
1. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Topping the list, being a CEO gets you the highest paying job in the world, no matter where you work. A CEO is the highest-ranked position in any organisation's structure.
Is being a judge rich?
California judges make a good living. They earn at least $240,000 and can count on a raise just about every year, a requirement that's written into state law.