Scarborough Courthouse
Practical guide to the Scarborough Courthouse at 1911 Eglinton Avenue East. Learn about transit directions, parking, what to bring, and what to expect at your court appearance.
Location and How to Get There
The Scarborough Courthouse is located at 1911 Eglinton Avenue East, in the Scarborough area of Toronto. The courthouse sits near the intersection of Eglinton Avenue East and Brimley Road and serves the Scarborough community for criminal and other court matters.
By TTC: The most practical transit route to the Scarborough Courthouse is by bus from Kennedy Station, which is served by both the Bloor-Danforth subway line (Line 2) and the Scarborough RT. From Kennedy Station, take the Eglinton East bus (Route 86) eastbound along Eglinton Avenue. The bus stops directly in front of or very near the courthouse. The ride from Kennedy Station is approximately 15 to 20 minutes depending on traffic conditions. Plan your trip in advance using the TTC trip planner.
By car: The Scarborough Courthouse has parking available on site, and finding a spot is generally easier here than at downtown court locations. However, parking can still fill up on busy mornings, so arriving early is advisable. The courthouse is accessible from Highway 401 via the Brimley Road or Kennedy Road exits — head south to Eglinton Avenue and turn east.
What Cases Are Heard Here
The Scarborough Courthouse handles criminal matters for the Scarborough area, including first appearances, set-date courts, guilty pleas, trials, and preliminary hearings. If an offence is alleged to have occurred in Scarborough, the case will typically be assigned to this courthouse.
Your court documents will confirm the courthouse location. If your undertaking, summons, or appearance notice lists 1911 Eglinton Avenue East, this is where you need to be. For help determining which courthouse your case is at, see our Toronto courthouse guide.
Bail hearings for persons held in custody are generally not conducted at the Scarborough Courthouse. Instead, they are heard at the College Park bail court at 444 Yonge Street in downtown Toronto. If someone has been arrested and held for a bail hearing, they will be brought before the bail court, not the Scarborough location.
Security and Inside the Courthouse
Security screening is mandatory at all entrances to the Scarborough Courthouse. The process involves passing through a metal detector and sending bags and personal items through an X-ray scanner. Arrive with enough time to clear security — morning lineups can build quickly when court is about to begin.
Do not bring prohibited items such as knives, scissors, sharp objects, or anything that could be considered a weapon. If security confiscates an item, you may not get it back.
Inside the courthouse, court dockets are posted listing the day's scheduled matters by courtroom. Find your name to confirm which courtroom you need. If you are having difficulty, ask at the information desk or the court clerk's office. Staff are generally helpful in directing visitors to the correct location.
Duty counsel: If you do not have a lawyer and cannot afford one, duty counsel is available at the Scarborough Courthouse. These are lawyers provided through Legal Aid Ontario who offer free, brief legal advice and can sometimes speak on your behalf at a court appearance. Get there early to put your name on the duty counsel list — they serve people on a first-come, first-served basis and can get busy.
What to Expect at Court
Court proceedings at the Scarborough Courthouse follow the same general pattern as other Ontario criminal courts. If this is your first court appearance, it will likely be a short, administrative matter. The court confirms who you are, notes the charges, and adjourns the case to allow time for you to retain counsel and for the Crown to prepare disclosure.
Courts typically begin at 9:00 or 10:00 a.m. Because many cases are scheduled at the same time, you should expect to wait. Cases with lawyers present are often called first, followed by self-represented individuals. The wait can range from minutes to several hours, depending on the day's schedule and the number of cases on the docket.
When your case is called, stand up and approach the front of the courtroom. If you have a lawyer, they will do most of the speaking. If you are self-represented, the judge may ask you a few questions — for example, whether you have a lawyer or intend to retain one. You will not be expected to enter a plea or defend yourself at a first appearance.
Practical Tips for the Scarborough Courthouse
- Allow extra travel time. If you are taking the bus from Kennedy Station, factor in potential delays. Transit times can vary significantly depending on traffic, especially during morning rush hour.
- Arrive at least 30 minutes early. This gives you time for security, finding your courtroom, and checking in with your lawyer or duty counsel.
- Bring your documents. Have your undertaking, appearance notice, or other release paperwork with you, along with government-issued photo ID.
- Dress appropriately. Neat, conservative clothing is expected. Remove hats in the courtroom. Avoid casual wear such as shorts and flip-flops.
- Silence your phone. Phones must be turned off or silenced before you enter the courtroom. Using your phone during proceedings may result in consequences from the presiding judge.
- Be prepared to wait. Court schedules are unpredictable. Even a straightforward matter can involve a significant wait. Bring something to occupy your time.
For information about the broader court process, see our guides on what happens after an arrest and how bail works in Ontario. For details on other Toronto court locations, visit our guides to the North York Courthouse and Old City Hall.