Toronto Courthouse Guide: Old City Hall and 2201 Finch

If you have a criminal court date in Toronto, one of the first things you need to figure out is which courthouse you are going to. Toronto is not like smaller cities where there is one building and that is it. Criminal matters in Toronto are heard at multiple locations, and the two most common are Old City Hall at 60 Queen Street West and the Toronto North courthouse (commonly called the North York courthouse or Finch courthouse) at 2201 Finch Avenue West.

Getting the wrong courthouse means missing your court date, and missing your court date can result in a bench warrant for your arrest. This guide covers both buildings so you know exactly where to go, how to get there, where to park, what to expect at security, and how the day will unfold. Our Toronto office handles matters at both courthouses regularly, and this is the information we share with our clients before their first visit.

Which Courthouse Are You Going To?

Before you do anything else, confirm which courthouse your matter is scheduled at. This information is on your release documents, your recognizance, or your undertaking. If you are unsure, call the court office or check the online court listings through the Ontario Court of Justice website.

Old City Hall (60 Queen Street West) handles a large volume of Ontario Court of Justice criminal matters in Toronto. If your charges arose in the downtown core or surrounding areas, there is a good chance your case is here. This is a busy, high-volume courthouse that processes hundreds of matters daily.

2201 Finch Avenue West (Toronto North) serves the northern part of the city, including North York and surrounding areas. If you were charged in the northern half of Toronto, your matter is likely at this location. It is a newer building and generally less chaotic than Old City Hall, though it is still busy.

Your lawyer will know which courthouse your matter is at. If you have not yet retained a lawyer, our article on whether you need a criminal lawyer explains why early legal advice matters.

Old City Hall: 60 Queen Street West

Getting There

Old City Hall is located at the corner of Queen Street West and Bay Street, directly across from Nathan Phillips Square and Toronto’s current City Hall. It is one of the most recognizable buildings in the city — a grand Romanesque Revival structure with a large clock tower.

By TTC: The easiest way to get to Old City Hall is by subway. Take the Yonge-University line to Queen Station. The courthouse is a one-minute walk from the station exit at Queen and Yonge — head west on Queen Street and the building is immediately on your right. You can also use Osgoode Station, which is one stop west on the same line, and walk east on Queen Street for about five minutes.

The Queen streetcar (Route 501) stops directly in front of the building, which is useful if you are coming from the east or west ends of the city.

By car: Driving to Old City Hall is possible, but parking downtown is expensive and stressful. If you must drive, give yourself significant extra time. Traffic in the downtown core is unpredictable, and being late to court is not treated lightly.

Parking Near Old City Hall

Parking near Old City Hall is expensive. Expect to pay $20 to $40 or more for a full day at a commercial lot. Here are your best options:

• The Nathan Phillips Square underground parking garage on Queen Street is the closest option, accessible from the south side of Queen Street West. Rates vary but typically run $4 to $6 per half hour with daily maximums around $30 to $40.
• Green P lots and garages are scattered throughout downtown. The City of Toronto Green P app lets you find nearby locations and see current rates. Several are within a five- to ten-minute walk of the courthouse.
• Street parking on meters in the area is theoretically possible but extremely competitive. Most meters have two- or three-hour limits, which is almost never enough time for a criminal court matter.

Our strong recommendation: take the TTC if you can. The stress of finding parking downtown on a court morning is something you do not need on top of everything else.

Security at Old City Hall

Old City Hall processes a high volume of people every morning. Security lines can be significant, especially between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. when most courtrooms start sitting.

You will pass through a metal detector and have your bags scanned by X-ray. Have your government-issued photo identification ready. Remove metal items — keys, belt, coins — before you reach the detector to speed things up.

Do not bring:

• Weapons of any kind, including pocket knives
• Pepper spray or mace
• Sharp objects such as scissors or nail files
• Drugs or alcohol
• Large bags or backpacks (these slow down the screening process and may be refused)

Phones are allowed but must be on silent in every courtroom. No recording, no photographs — this is a court order, and violating it can result in contempt charges.

Plan to arrive at least 45 minutes before your scheduled court time to account for the security line and the time it takes to find your courtroom in this large building.

Finding Your Courtroom at Old City Hall

Old City Hall is a large, older building with courtrooms spread across multiple floors. Court lists are posted in the main lobby each morning. Find your last name on the list and note the courtroom number. If you cannot find your name, speak to staff at the court counter — scheduling changes happen and your matter may have been moved.

The hallways at Old City Hall are narrow and crowded. On busy mornings, it can feel overwhelming. Stay calm, find your courtroom, and take a seat in the gallery at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time.

2201 Finch Avenue West: Toronto North Courthouse

Getting There

The Toronto North courthouse is located at 2201 Finch Avenue West, near the intersection of Finch Avenue West and Keele Street. This is a modern courthouse that serves North York and the surrounding area.

By TTC: Take the Yonge-University subway line to Finch West Station on the Line 1 extension (or transfer to the Route 36 Finch West bus from Finch Station). The courthouse is accessible from the Finch West bus route — get off at Keele Street and walk a short distance south. Alternatively, from Keele Station on Line 2, take the 41 Keele bus northbound. Check the TTC trip planner for the most current route options based on where you are coming from.

By car: From Highway 400, exit at Finch Avenue and head east. From Highway 401, take Keele Street north to Finch Avenue and turn west. The courthouse is on the south side of Finch Avenue West, just west of Keele Street.

Parking at 2201 Finch

Parking at the Finch courthouse is significantly less stressful than downtown. The courthouse has its own parking lot, though it fills up quickly on busy mornings.

• The courthouse lot is a paid lot. Arrive early — by 8:00 a.m. if possible — to secure a spot.
• Surrounding area parking includes commercial lots and some street parking on side streets. Rates are considerably cheaper than the downtown core.

Pay for at least four hours. Criminal court matters are unpredictable. Even if your lawyer tells you it should be quick, courtrooms run on their own schedule and your matter could be called at any point during the day.

Security at 2201 Finch

Security screening at the Finch courthouse follows the same process as Old City Hall — metal detectors, bag X-ray, and photo identification check. Lines tend to be somewhat shorter here than at Old City Hall, but on a busy Monday morning, plan for 15 to 20 minutes at security.

The same prohibitions apply: no weapons, no sharp objects, no drugs or alcohol, no recording devices in use. Keep your phone on silent in every courtroom.

Finding Your Courtroom at 2201 Finch

The Finch courthouse is a newer building with clearer signage than Old City Hall. Court lists are posted near the entrance each morning, and the layout is more intuitive. Find your name, note your courtroom, and head there with time to spare.

What to Wear to Court in Toronto

How you present yourself matters. Judges notice, Crown attorneys notice, and first impressions carry weight. This applies at both Old City Hall and 2201 Finch.

Wear:

• A collared shirt, blouse, or clean sweater
• Dress pants or a clean pair of dark jeans
• Closed-toe shoes
• A blazer or jacket if you have one

Avoid:

• Shorts, tank tops, athletic wear, or flip-flops
• Clothing with offensive language or graphics
• Hats or sunglasses (remove these before entering the courtroom)
• Heavy cologne or perfume — courtrooms are small and often crowded

You do not need to wear a suit, but you should look like you are taking the process seriously. A judge will never hold it against you for being well-dressed.

What to Bring

Regardless of which Toronto courthouse you are attending, bring:

• Government-issued photo ID — your driver’s licence or Ontario photo card
• Your release documents — your undertaking, recognizance, or release order. Know your bail conditions. If you are unsure what conditions you are on, speak with your lawyer before your court date
• Your lawyer’s contact information — name and phone number, easily accessible
• A pen and notepad — write down your next court date before you leave the building
• Something to read or do quietly — expect to wait. Court runs on a docket system and you may be sitting for hours

Do not bring food or drinks into the courtroom itself, though both courthouses have common areas and nearby food options.

Duty Counsel in Toronto

If you do not have a lawyer, duty counsel is available at both Old City Hall and 2201 Finch Avenue West. Duty counsel is a Legal Aid Ontario lawyer who can provide free basic legal advice on the day of your court appearance. They can help you understand the charges against you, explain what is happening, and speak on your behalf for simple procedural matters like requesting an adjournment.

Duty counsel cannot represent you on an ongoing basis. If your charges are serious — and most criminal charges are — they will likely recommend that you retain your own lawyer. Duty counsel is a helpful starting point, but it is not a substitute for a lawyer who knows your case inside and out. Our guide on your first court appearance explains what to expect in more detail.

Ontario Court of Justice vs. Superior Court of Justice

Both Old City Hall and 2201 Finch Avenue West primarily handle Ontario Court of Justice matters. This is where the vast majority of criminal cases begin — first appearances, bail hearings, guilty pleas, and trials for summary conviction and most hybrid offences.

If your matter is serious enough to proceed in the Superior Court of Justice — which handles murder, serious sexual offences, and jury trials — it may be transferred to a different courthouse location. Your lawyer will advise you if this applies to your case.

Understanding the distinction between these courts matters, particularly if you need to make an election about how your case will proceed. Knowing your Charter rights is equally important at every stage.

Tips for Court Day in Toronto

1. Confirm your courthouse location the day before. Double-check your paperwork or call the court office. Showing up at Old City Hall when your matter is at Finch Avenue — or vice versa — could mean a missed appearance and a warrant.

2. Take the TTC to Old City Hall. Seriously. The money you save on parking will be the least of the benefits. Arriving calm and on time is what matters.

3. Arrive early. At least 45 minutes before your court time at Old City Hall, 30 minutes at 2201 Finch. Security lines and finding your courtroom take time.

4. Do not discuss your case in public. Hallways, elevators, and washrooms are not private. Police officers, Crown attorneys, witnesses, and other accused persons are all in the building. Save case discussions for private meetings with your lawyer.

5. Be respectful to everyone. Security staff, court clerks, Crown attorneys, and other people in the building. How you carry yourself is noticed.

6. Stand when the judge enters and exits. When the clerk says “all rise,” stand up. This is basic courtroom etiquette.

7. Write down your next date. After your matter is dealt with, you will be given a new court date. Write it down before you leave the courtroom. Missing a date can result in a warrant for your arrest.

8. Bring patience. Criminal court runs on a docket system — dozens of matters scheduled for the same time in the same courtroom. You may wait an hour. You may wait three. Do not schedule anything else for the rest of the day.

Talk to Mor Fisher LLP Before Your Court Date

If you have an upcoming court appearance in Toronto and do not yet have a lawyer, contact us now. The earlier you get legal advice, the more options you will have and the better prepared you will be.

Our Toronto office serves clients appearing at both Old City Hall and 2201 Finch Avenue West. We know these courthouses, we know the procedures, and we can make sure you are not walking in unprepared. Whether you are facing your first court appearance or a more complex matter, we are here to help.

Call us at 705-721-6642 or contact us online for a free consultation. Do not face a criminal charge in Toronto without a lawyer in your corner.