Conduct of a judge: complain to the Conseil de la magistrature
Distinguish an appeal from an ethical concern and prepare a factual complaint about a judge’s words or conduct.
Comply with orders and appeal deadlines while the conduct complaint is processed. To challenge the decision, separately review appeal or review routes.
Check the responsible council
Identify the court, judge and date. Quebec-jurisdiction and federally appointed judges do not necessarily fall under the same council.
Separate decision from conduct
An alleged legal error is challenged through a judicial remedy. A conduct complaint concerns words or acts inconsistent with ethical duties.
Prepare facts
Provide your name and address, the judge, case, exact words or acts, context, witnesses and documents. Avoid insults and unproven conclusions.
File and follow
Quebec’s Conseil de la magistrature receives written complaints and informs complainants of the stages. Any sanction does not change the judgment.
How to complain — Conseil de la magistrature