Today I attended the Ontario Superior Court for an application. Interestingly, when I arrived at the courthouse, there was no one at the security desk. Litigants and lawyers alike were walking in and out of the court facility without hindrance, while the metal detector stood idle. Although the registrar and the clerk were present in the courtroom when the court was in session, I didn’t feel so safe when I was waiting in the hallway.

A few years ago someone smuggled a gun into the Ontario Court of Appeal during a family law hearing and shot and killed a lawyer. Since the incident, and subsequently 9/11, the Ministry of the Attorney General has greatly enhanced security measures at the courthouse. For example, at the end of a lunch break, you can often see people lining up outside the courthouse at 361 University Ave. to go through the security check before they enter the courthouse.

Unfortunately, it seems that these security measures are only available at certain locations, mostly ones that hear criminal and family law matters. As for civil litigation, the security is worryingly lax.

Don’t get me wrong, there are police officers on duty at the courthouse, even at civil-litigation locations. (Toronto Police Services has an office in the building.) Police officers regularly patrol the hallway to monitor any irregularities. However, I don’t think mere patrolling is enough to keep court personnels safe – something more is needed.