Old City Hall Court Toronto
Practical guide to Old City Hall Court at 60 Queen Street West in Toronto. Learn about transit access, security screening, court procedures, and what to expect at your appearance.
Location and How to Get There
Old City Hall is located at 60 Queen Street West, at the northeast corner of Queen Street and Bay Street in downtown Toronto. The building is a prominent Romanesque Revival landmark that has served as a courthouse since 1966, when city government moved to the adjacent New City Hall.
By TTC: Old City Hall is easily accessible by public transit. The closest subway stations are Queen Station (Yonge-University line), which is directly adjacent to the building, and Osgoode Station, approximately a five-minute walk west along Queen Street. The Queen streetcar (Route 501) stops directly in front of the courthouse. For current route information and schedules, visit the TTC website.
By car: Parking in the downtown core is limited and expensive. There are commercial parking garages on Bay Street and along Dundas Street, but rates are high. If you are driving, allow extra time for traffic and parking. Many people find that taking the TTC is both cheaper and more reliable for a downtown court appearance.
The main courthouse entrance is on Queen Street West. A secondary entrance is available on the east side of the building facing Bay Street. Both entrances have security screening.
What Cases Are Heard Here
Old City Hall primarily handles provincial offences under the Provincial Offences Act, including traffic tickets, bylaw infractions, and other regulatory matters for the City of Toronto. It also handles certain criminal matters for the downtown Toronto area, including first appearances, guilty pleas, and some set-date courts.
Whether your criminal case will be heard at Old City Hall depends on the nature of the charges and where the alleged offence occurred. Your release documents or summons will specify which courthouse you need to attend. If you are unsure, contact your lawyer or refer to our Toronto courthouse guide for general information about how cases are assigned.
More serious criminal matters — including jury trials and Superior Court proceedings — are generally heard at the Toronto Superior Court of Justice at 361 University Avenue, rather than at Old City Hall. Bail hearings for persons held in custody are typically conducted at College Park, 444 Yonge Street.
Security Screening and Building Layout
All visitors to Old City Hall must pass through security screening at the entrance. This includes walking through a metal detector and placing all bags, briefcases, and personal items through an X-ray scanner. The process is similar to airport security. You will need to remove belts with large metal buckles, empty your pockets of metal items, and place electronics in the screening bin.
Prohibited items include weapons, sharp objects (including pocket knives and scissors), and any items that could be used as weapons. If you inadvertently bring a prohibited item, security staff will confiscate it and you may not get it back. Leave unnecessary items at home.
Once through security, the main lobby provides access to the courtrooms. Court lists (dockets) showing which cases are scheduled in each courtroom are typically posted near the courtroom doors or displayed on screens. Find your name on the docket to confirm your courtroom number. If you cannot find your name, ask at the court clerk's office or the information desk.
The building itself is historic and can be confusing to navigate. Courtrooms are located on multiple floors, and hallways can be narrow and crowded during busy court times. Give yourself extra time to find the right courtroom, particularly on your first visit.
What to Expect at Your Appearance
If this is your first court appearance, it will likely be brief. First appearances are primarily administrative — the court confirms your identity, the charges are read, and the matter is typically adjourned (postponed) to allow time for you to retain a lawyer and for the Crown to provide disclosure. You will not be expected to enter a plea or present a defence at your first appearance.
If you have a lawyer, they will typically speak on your behalf in court. If you do not have a lawyer, duty counsel is available at Old City Hall to provide brief advice and may be able to assist you at your appearance. Duty counsel services are provided by Legal Aid Ontario and are available to anyone who does not have their own lawyer, regardless of income.
Important: You must attend court on the date specified in your release documents. Failing to appear is a separate criminal offence under section 145 of the Criminal Code and will result in a warrant being issued for your arrest. If you cannot attend for a legitimate reason, contact your lawyer immediately so arrangements can be made.
Tips for Old City Hall
- Arrive at least 30 minutes early. Security lines at Old City Hall can be particularly long during morning hours, when most courts begin at 9:00 or 10:00 a.m. Morning is the busiest time.
- Bring only essentials. The less you bring through security, the faster the process. Leave unnecessary bags and items at home or in your car.
- Dress appropriately. Business casual or neat attire is expected. Avoid shorts, tank tops, and clothing with offensive graphics. Remove hats before entering the courtroom.
- Turn off your phone. Phones must be silenced in the courtroom. Using a phone in the courtroom may result in it being confiscated or in you being asked to leave.
- Be patient. Courts schedule many cases on the same day. You may wait several hours before your matter is called. Bring something to read and plan accordingly.
- Food options: There are numerous restaurants and coffee shops along Queen Street and in the nearby Eaton Centre. The courthouse itself has limited food services.
For information about other Toronto courthouses, see our guides to the North York Courthouse, Scarborough Courthouse, and Etobicoke Court.