File a complaint

Need to file a complaint?

If you believe a judge, administrative law judges, or family support magistrate took part in judicial misconduct, you can file a complaint with the Judicial Review Council (JRC). This page provides the information and resources you need to prepare your complaint, submit it correctly, and understand what happens after you file.

You'll find information to help you:

  • Learn what judicial misconduct is
  • Who you can file a complaint against
  • Download the complaint form and filing guidelines
  • Follow the complaint process
  • Learn how complaints are reviewed
  • Find answers to common questions

What to know before you file a complaint

Judicial misconduct is behavior that breaks the Code of Judicial Conduct or the Administrative Law Judges’ Code of Ethics. It can include unfair handling of duties, having a conflict of interest, not filing required financial reports, or acting in a way that hurts public trust in the courts. These are only examples. We review each complaint based on the facts you provide.
You can file a complaint against a judge, administrative law judges, or family support magistrate. If we find that judicial misconduct occurred, we may take disciplinary action as allowed by law.

Is my complaint about a judge, administrative law judges, or family support magistrate?

Does it describe actions that might break the law or the Code of Judicial Conduct?

Am I focusing on the person's actions instead of a court decision?

If you answered yes, your complaint may involve judicial misconduct. If you disagree with a judge's decision or your case's outcome, the Council cannot change or reverse that decision.

You must file your complaint within one year of the date the alleged misconduct happened. Complaints filed after the one-year deadline will be rejected.

Complaint form and guidelines

 

Review the complaint guidelines
Learn how to fill out the form, gather supporting documents, and avoid common mistakes. These steps help prevent delays or issues with your complaint.
 

Get the complaint form (PDF)
Download the official complaint form. Complete each section, sign it before a notary, and mail it to the JRC.
 

Follow the complaint process

Anyone can file a complaint at no cost. Before you begin, make sure your complaint meets our requirements. Learn how to prepare your complaint, complete the official complaint form, and understand what happens after we receive it.

Understand our review process

How we handle complaints 

Understand how we handle complaints after we receive them. This includes notices, investigations, hearings, decisions, and possible outcomes.

How we investigate complaints 

Learn how we investigate complaints, collect details, and decide what happens next. We keep our investigations confidential.