My experience started out terrible. When I arrived, they were closed. Who closes between 11 and 2 every day?! I will take responsibility. It is clearly posted on their website if I had bothered to check. I had to go away and come back the following day because I couldn’t stay until the afternoon. It is so stressful if you have to go here. However, Security was a breeze, they pointed me in the right direction (small claims), and you are able to get your own number when you get there. They warn you that if your number isn’t called in the morning, they will honour it in the afternoon, and I was stressed about wandering around for three hours in the middle of the day if my number wasn’t called. But I was in and out in less than 10 minutes (on a Friday). The counter service was exceptional. The woman was friendly and kind. Didn’t catch her name, but I noticed she used her left hand and had some very cool ear piercings. Just so she knows it was her and I appreciated how professional she was in an otherwise stressful situation. Thanks again!

Don't bother asking for help at the information desk. I am simply trying to sit in on a case and used the schedule provided online to find the room, however all the rooms are numbered and you can't tell from the list what room they'll be in. I approached the gentleman at the info desk at 9:15am on January 31 to ask him which room corresponds with the room information provided online and he said "I see you don't take care. Your list is all wrong, you must look at master roster." I literally printed the list from the Daily Court Lists website. Something needs to be done to address this issue with both the employee and the website because I am so uncomfortable right now. With 50+ rooms, there should be better direction and help.

My experience with the small claims division here is terrible. If you're able to bring a claim to a different court house, please do so! They never pick up the phone here and don't return your calls. I've had to leave 3 voicemails before someone got back to me 3 weeks later and they're supposed to return your call within 24 hours. Maybe they're understaffed but still, small claims is supposed to be fast and expeditious - a court for the people! Started a claim a year ago and it's moving very slooowly. Always busy here and filled with people. Expect to spend an hour here before you get a simple question answered. My experience representing others at other court houses is much better!

I went in for family court and asked the front "information" desk what court room I had been assigned to appear in and they told me the wrong one! Luckily for me I was able to find someone that could point me in the right direction even though I was a bit late I was able to attend. If I had not shown up the judge would have issued a bench warrant for my arrest (on top of the 400$ court fee). At my court hearing I had to represent myself because I couldn't afford a lawyer and didn't "qualify" for legal aid even though I haven't been working due to being injured now how's that for "justice" ?

I think the court house needs some sort of charging stations. I sat in the court house today (I was a witness and received a subpoena) for 7 hours and a place to charge a phone or laptop would be helpful. They are doing a fairly good job keeping everything clean and disinfected because of Covid. I do find the screening at the door not very helpful and when your going through security and putting everything in their grey bins they aren’t being disinfected between people so everyone’s personal belongings are in contact with everyone else who has used them too.

Beautiful modern building in Dtn Ottawa. Gallery, Open Public Space including events grounds. Viewing the ART works by local Artist alone is worth the Trip. They have public washrooms & a small cafeteria style restaurant in the building. In the centre is the information desk with an attendant in both languages French & English. You also can get information on local Transit, Galleries, Festivals, Concert's & everything do in Ottawa. And if you are lucky you might shake hands with the Mayor.

The courthouse on Elgin Street building opened in 1986. The courthouse is located at the corner of Elgin Street and Laurier Avenue. Previously the site had been home to Cartier Square, and for many decades was covered by temporary buildings erected during the Second World War. The courthouse is next door to the current Ottawa City Hall, formerly the Ottawa Regional Headquarters building, which was built only a few years later. Previously the courts had been spread throughout the city.

First time at the Ontario court house and was required to go through the security access team. Very professional and patient as they proceeded to appropriate my nail clippers as they were not allowed in the building. I couldn’t believe it, we have legalized cannabis but I can’t take a 2 inch long set of nail clippers into a court house. Other than that the court case was quick, the two lawyers were well prepared, the judge was too lenient.

Was charged by corrupt cops for drugs. Proved my innocence and police forgery and they forced me to take a deal or else i could get recharged for for all the fake charges. Was forced to take a breach of address change and not allowed to prove anything, else I could just go to prison.... An innocent man!!! Beware our slave masters, they own us and beat us and arrest us and even shoot us if we don't keep our heads down and obey.

They never respond to phone calls, and never call back when you leave a voice message. They mail back documents saying the documents don't meet the court requirements. When you mail them everything per their requirements, they run out of excuses and claim they've never received your mail. I have lost faith. Nobody cares, and there is no justice system.

They don't want to work and they don't bother to serve you. Although you pay money for these services. I hated my long hours waiting there and I had to go for 3 days to finish one case. It's the courthouse and the reviews mostly so bad! Who can believe that? Is there anyone to check this out? and now you only have 4 hours to get served!

The Ottawa courthouse has a reputation for being the slowest and most incompetent in Ontario. An application for default judgment can take more than 6 months to obtain although only a rubber stamp is required. Previous comments are correct - you should file your application in another courthouse if allowed.

Great job to the people at information desk very helpful The legal aid is available at courthouse for low income individuals There’s a waiting and ticket system Security check Allowed my service dog after checking my documents

Well here we are at Ottawa's Courthouse. It's a fairly modern building, well lit, professional and courteous (if overworked) staff. The staff I dealt with were quite pleasant and my overall experience was positive.

tax dollars hard at work here I have tried calling there toll free number number 5 times in a row you would think they have more then one person answering phones here or at the very least set up a answering machine

I was in the courthouse as a law student observing trials for an assignment. The staff I spoke to were all helpful and respectful while I was there, and the building was relatively easy to navigate.

I just want to thank you the court administrative staff for going above and beyond to assist at the counter and responding promptly to all of my queries over the phone.

Awful experience very unorganized nobody could tell me if I was where I needed to be. Waited for over 5 hours for someone to listen to me and respond to my questions.

Courtrooms could use a good cleaning , security should explain and give instructions on going thru security check

Very nice building. I saw fireworks here on Canada day and it as amazing.

Shortest hours ever. 4 hours a day… And no one answers the phone ever.

The phone is ll self help and no help at all. Can never reach anyone!

Employees are too slow and rude They are not helpful at all

They should increase the hours. 4 hours isn't enough

Decor needs a bit of work but people fantastic.

Horrible courthouse...never returned the calls.

Nice modern building for its age. Food court.

Beautiful clean building and friendly staff!

The building has terrible phone reception.

Beautiful building. Amazing architecture

Takes forever juz to get in the buildin.

The COVID19 measures in place we great.

It sucked I got charged, do not visit.

Canadian courts are Canadian courts.

Good attention, beautiful building.

Hello, ️. HAAHHAHAHAHAAAA …

Gorgeous building!

I work there

Thank

OK