It has always been on my bucket list to do the free tour of Osgoode Hall. The entire tour is available on their website, should you want more information!
Osgoode Hall is one of the oldest buildings in Toronto. It is now in the heart of downtown Toronto, but when it first opened, it was outside of the city limits. Everything about Osgoode Hall made it stand out: its scale in a district of single-family homes, its public purpose in a residential neighbourhood, its professional occupants in a working class area, its Anglo-Saxon character in what became the city’s main reception area for new immigrants, and its wealth in “The Ward,” once one of the city’s worst slums.
Osgoode Hall was originally built in 1832 by the Law Society of Upper Canada and named after William Osgoode, the first Chief Justice of the Province. Osgoode Hall has housed the highest courts in Ontario since 1846. It continues to be used as a working courthouse for the Court of Appeal for Ontario and the Superior Court of Justice.
Only the Supreme Court in Ottawa is above the courts at Osgoode Hall. There are ten courtrooms in the building, but none of them is used for trials: judges here review decisions that have been made by lower courts across the province.
This was not made clear by the tour guide. What is a court of appeal?
Role and Function
Highest Court: It is the top appellate court in Ontario, meaning it reviews decisions made by lower courts.
Types of Cases: It hears civil appeals (like property or family disputes) and criminal appeals (like conviction challenges).
Not a Trial Court: Witnesses do not testify here, and juries are not present. Instead, panels of judges review legal arguments and transcripts from previous trials.
I did jury duty in 2023 and then a quick write up of that experience - Ontario Superior Court of Justice, right under the court of appeal.
We did a quick visit, last year, into the Supreme Court of Canada, in Ottawa.
We were greeted by two very pleasant police officers as this is a working courthouse. We were just going to have a quick look around but they reminded us that the tour starts at 1:15 so we decided to stick around. We passed through security and wandered on our own.
This portrait is of Laura Louise Legge, the first woman to be elected treasurer of the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1979.Artist: The portrait was painted by Arthur Edward Cleeve Horne.
Honors: Legge received a lifetime membership to the Law Society of Saskatchewan and was appointed an honorary member of the Law Society of Alberta.
Awards: She was awarded the Award of Excellence from Osgoode Hall Law School and was appointed to the Order of Ontario in 2003.
This portrait depicts the Honourable Élie Beauregard, a Canadian lawyer and financier who served as a senator. Painted by renowned Beaver Hall Group artist Lilias Torrance Newton, it is part of the Senate of Canada's artwork collection. The Senate commissions portraits of its Speakers to recognize their procedural importance, a tradition that predates Confederation.Senator Beauregard served in the Senate from 1949 to 1953.
Click here for our lunch in 2013 at Osgoode Hall, when Covid struck it was closed, like everything and they are only now renovating and talking about opening up again.
This is the Convocation Hall where we dined.
Convocation Hall, now also known as the Osgoode Hall Restaurant, opened in 1882. It was designed after the great halls of the medieval Inns of Court in England. Osgoode Hall was once the only place in Ontario where you could train to become a lawyer and Convocation Hall was used for lectures, examinations, and moot courts.
William Storm, the architect of the Hall, designed the room in the Romanesque style. In 1938, the space was renovated and the wood paneling was replaced by bookcases. Pink granite columns at the windows and the balcony were covered with plaster, as were the alternating stone and brick surrounds of the windows. A large stained glass window at the north end of the room, where the large wood carving hangs, was also lost then.
The large carving is the seal of the Law Society. Just below is a portrait of William Osgoode, after whom the building was named. Osgoode was the first Chief Justice of Upper Canada – Ontario – and he was instrumental in setting up the justice system of the province.
The smaller carvings on the railing of the balcony are, from left to right, the Coat of Arms of Ontario, the Royal Coat of Arms, and the Coat of Arms of Canada.
The tour begins in the Atrium. It was a large group of 43.
This section of the building, designed by architects Cumberland and Storm, was built between 1856 and 1860. It was part of the same construction project that gave us the Great Library. The stone in the atrium is French limestone, the same that was used in buildings such as the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey. We believe that the carved keystones, at the top of the arches, represent areas of human activity where law is essential.
The floor tiles are “geometric tiles.” Maw & Co. was one of the earliest and largest producers of this type of tiles and Osgoode Hall was one of their first major projects.
The skylight was part of the original design of the atrium, but it was modified around 1960 when its glass started to fall out. During the repairs, light pink glass replaced the original etched glass and the metal framework was simplified.
The statue, by artist Cleeve Horne, is a memorial to lawyers and law students who died during the Second World War. It represents hope in the future.
The portraits in the atrium are of former chief justices of the province, except for the portrait of Queen Victoria.
From here we moved to a courtroom. We visited one of the smaller ones, the usual ones used on the tour were being used for business.
This courtroom belongs to the Court of Appeal for Ontario. The role of this court is to review judgments that have been made by lower courts. The hearings are not new trials. Rarely during an appeal is there new evidence or witnesses. The court is presented with transcripts of the previous trial, exhibits of the evidence that was before the trial judge, and examples of similar cases. The lawyers appealing a case will work to convince the panel of judges that there was an error made in the previous judgment, either in the procedure, in the law or its interpretation.
Typically, a panel of three judges hears appeals, although there could be as few as one or as many as five. In the end, the judges don’t all have to agree. The opinion of the majority rules, although those who disagree have a chance to explain their reasons as part of the written decision.
Because this is the highest court of the province, the decisions of this court will have to be considered in the future decisions of all the other courts below it.
This courtroom was built in 1911 and its layout is typical for Osgoode Hall. The platform for the judges is called the dais. Behind the dais is a retiring room – a meeting room for the judges – and the offices of the judges and court staff. The desks in front of the dais are for court staff – the registrar, the usher and the court reporter. The first table facing the judges is for counsel, the lawyers involved in the appeal.
Up on the landing.
The Law Society’s library is Canada’s largest legal practitioner library. The collection includes legislation and other government documents, law reports, journals, textbooks, and continuing professional development materials. Many resources are available online, but paper is still an important part of the collection. This is a reference library; books are not lent out.
The main reading room is one of Osgoode Hall's most impressive architectural spaces. It was built between 1857 and 1860 under the supervision of architects Cumberland and Storm. The ceiling, 40 feet (12 metres) above the floor, is made of plaster. It was crafted by local contractors, the Hynes Brothers. About half of the original glass remains in the windows. You can see the letters “VR” for Victoria Regina (Queen Victoria) and the beaver, a symbol of Canada, etched in the glass. The impressive columns that appear to be holding up the ceiling are hollow and the only thing they are supporting is the vision of the architects.
The statue at the end of the room is a memorial to lawyers and students who died during the First World War. It was created by Frances Loring, a Canadian sculptor. The stone to its right is rubble from the Inner Temple, one of the English institutions that inspired the creation of the Law Society. The Law Society raised funds to help the Inns rebuild after the Second World War and the rock is a token of their appreciation.
The Scratched Name Mystery
The Mistake: Captain Henry Charles Draper was initially included and engraved on the list of fallen names.
The Correction: Organizers realized a mistake had been made regarding his inclusion or status, so his name was scrubbed/scratched out from the marble.
The Replacement: It was chiseled over and replaced with the name of Captain Hal C. Fryer, M.C.
The Visible Trace: If you look closely at the left side of the name panel on tour, you can still spot the physical traces and rough chisel marks where the original name was altered.
The flooring is cork. The original floor, below this one, is fir laid in a herringbone pattern. The wood floor must have been noisy and old photos always show it covered with carpet or cork runners. The cork tiles were installed in 1948.
The fireplace at the other end of the room is huge, but the small firebox tells us that it was not meant to be the sole source of heat for the room. It was a functional fireplace however, and was probably very cozy on cold days.
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The American Room was designed by architects Burke and Horwood and was completed in 1895.
The American Room was designed by architects Burke and Horwood and was completed in 1895.
The room was originally built to house the Library's American legal materials. It is unusual to have a large American collection in a Canadian library, but in 1827, when the Library was started, the amount of Upper Canadian case law was still small. Most of the early purchases for the Library were British reports and statutes. The Library soon started purchasing the reported decisions from other common law jurisdictions, such as the United States, as sources of “persuasive authority” – decisions that relate to a legal system close to ours, but that are not binding for Canadian judges. You could say that it was a source of legal inspiration.
The architects were instructed to maximize shelf space, which led to a two-floor arrangement with a narrow gallery and a space-efficient spiral staircase. The woodwork, produced by the Toronto firm of McCormack and Carroll, is oak. The curved part of the ceiling, the cove, is made of a material called “staff” – a type of plaster-based composite material reinforced with fibre. The contractor for the ceiling, William J. Hynes, was the son and nephew of the contractors who had done the plasterwork in the main reading room 35 years earlier. The patterned material under the balcony is embossed paper.
The American Room was the first room in the building designed with electricity from the outset.
This part of the building is where Osgoode Hall started. We call it the East Wing or Benchers’ Quarters because it is used by the governors of the Law Society, also known as Benchers. Soon after its completion in 1832, this wing was already hailed as one of Toronto’s most important public buildings. It was featured in travelers’ accounts, illustrated maps and later, on postcards and other travel souvenirs.
The East Wing is notable for the quality and condition of its external architecture, representative of the work of some of the best Canadian architects of the early to mid-19th century. The construction techniques and materials used are a valuable record of the construction trades at the time. Its interior spaces, while changed over time, retain much of their late-Victorian character.
Looking out the window from the Benchers' Reception Room.
The wing was originally constructed without the portico, the stone part with the columns, at the front. It was meant to be a solid and no-nonsense structure at a time when the Law Society was still trying to assert itself as the governing body of lawyers in Ontario. The portico was added in 1847 to balance the wing on the west side. The style of the building became more ambitious as the Law Society felt more confident about its role.
In 1838, following the Upper Canada Rebellion, the Hall was turned over to troops and served as barracks for almost six years. When it was returned to the Law Society, it was crawling with bugs and needed new ceilings, floors, doors, and fence. The bitter negotiations for reparation that followed led to the courts moving into Osgoode Hall.
There are few heritage buildings in Canada that are occupied by an original owner carrying out essentially the same mandate as it has for over two hundred years.
The Benchers’ Reception Room, on the second floor, is used for informal meetings and receptions. As is the case with much of this wing, its décor is historically-inspired rather than historical, but some features, such as the mouldings, the remnants of house bells, the shutters, the fireplace mantles (1846), and some furniture, have historical significance. Most of the furniture in this area dates from the 1890s and the 1930s. A few pieces are older and some antiques were purchased or received as donations.
Osgoode Hall is not a museum and as in most workplaces, every few years there is a push to refresh the décor and buy new furniture. Osgoode Hall has evolved to meet the needs of its users and continues to do so. It is not static and evolves like the organizations it houses. Those responsible for its care have generally been careful to retain and protect the significant heritage features of the building. New interventions are designed to respect its character.
Benchers' Entrance Hall.
Benchers' Entrance Hall.
The term "benchers" comes from medieval English legal traditions where senior members of the Inns of Court literally sat on raised wooden benches during meals and debates.At Osgoode Hall, the Law Society of Ontario maintains this centuries-old terminology to designate its governing board of directors.
Just off the entrance hall is the Benchers’ Dining Room. This room is used for meetings, luncheons and special dinners. The dining room is said to be the oldest dining room in Canada still used for its original purpose (other buildings may be older, but many have been transformed into museums, for example). The kitchen serving this room was originally in the basement, as was customary in Victorian homes. The food now comes from the Osgoode Hall Restaurant kitchen. The fireplace mantles in this room are believed to go back to when the wing was completed in 1832.
The portraits in this room are all of past Treasurers (Presidents) of the Law Society. Lawyers have long been community leaders and among the paintings in this room is a portrait of Robert Baldwin, best known for his involvement in the Baldwin-LaFontaine government in the 1840s. Robert Baldwin and his father, William Warren Baldwin, were instrumental in the adoption of the principles of responsible government in Canada.
I chose the paintings and artists that caught my eye.
Official portrait of Janet E. Minor, the 65th Treasurer of the Law Society of Ontario.
Janet Minor served as the head of the province's legal regulator from 2014 to 2016.
The choice to hold her glasses in her hand rather than wear them is a deliberate storytelling technique by the artist, Gordon Shadrach, designed to project accessibility and human connection.
The specific choice highlights several narrative details:
Breaking the Formal Barrier: In traditional judicial and institutional portraiture, subjects are often depicted with a rigid, completely unyielding posture. By removing her glasses and holding them loosely, Janet Minor breaks the "fourth wall" of the canvas. It signals that she is ready to speak directly with the viewer, shifting the tone from detached authority to an open conversation.
A Symbol of Shared Humanity: Shadrach commonly includes everyday objects or relatable gestures in his work to ground his subjects. Capturing a leader in a casual, transitory moment—like just having taken off her reading glasses—reminds the viewer of the real person behind the formal, intimidating robes of the Treasurer.
Focus on the Eyes: Opting not to have lenses covering her face ensures there is no glare or visual barrier distorting her expression. This places the viewers' focus entirely on her direct, welcoming eye contact.
This is a portrait of Laurie H. Pawlitza, a notable Canadian lawyer who served as the treasurer of the Law Society of Upper Canada. It was painted by the renowned Canadian contemporary realist painter, James Middleton.
The Symbolism of the Cow: A highly unusual element for a formal Osgoode Hall portrait is the small cow figurine positioned on the ledge in the background. This was intentionally incorporated by Middleton to reference Pawlitza's upbringing on a family farm in Saskatchewan, bridging her rural roots with her high-ranking legal status.
Breaking Tradition: Official institutional portraits typically feature rigid, hyper-formal poses. Middleton captured Pawlitza with one hand on her hip and a warm smile, conveying a more accessible, modern, and personal style of leadership while she was the Treasurer of the Law Society.
Choosing James Middleton carries immense institutional prestige. He is a highly celebrated member of the Portrait Society of Canada who has commissioned several high-profile legal and political works across Canada, including official Speaker portraits for the Parliament of Canada.
Canadian realist artist Phil Richards weaves specific biographical and symbolic elements into the scene. Together, these choices capture the subject's personality, daily routine, and professional career.
The "Judge" Outfit & Ceremonial Gown
The subject wears traditional Canadian barrister court attire, complete with black robes and white tabs. Draped over the park bench is the formal, heavily ornamented crimson-and-gold ceremonial gown of the Treasurer of the Law Society of Ontario. By showcasing the outfit, the artist marks the peak of Mercer's regulatory leadership. Placing the heavy ceremonial gown aside while he rests in ordinary legal robes highlights a balance between official duty and personal approachability.
The Books
The stacks of books serve a dual purpose:
Professional Expertise: They symbolize Mercer’s deep background in legal ethics, professional responsibility, and adjudication.
Active Intellecual Engagement: Rather than sitting neatly on an office shelf, the books are piled loosely on his lap and the bench. This choice shows he actively consults, reads, and works with them out in the world.
The Hidden Bicycle Wheel
Peeking out right behind the books on the bench is the distinct shape of a bicycle wheel and a frame tube. This subtle inclusion grounds the formal portrait in Mercer’s personal habits. It points to a regular routine of cycling to work or commuting through the city, emphasizing utility, fitness, and a down-to-earth demeanor.
People in the Background
In the upper left corner, small figures walk near the historic facade of Osgoode Hall in Toronto. Including ordinary citizens and colleagues in the background provides context and serves two functions:
Sense of Place: It firmly locations the setting at the headquarters of Ontario's legal system.
The Public Interest: It connects the legal profession directly to the community. Mercer’s career revolves around regulating the profession to protect the public, making the presence of real people vital to the painting's meaning.
This is the official portrait of Teresa Donnelly by Joanne Tod, who served as the Treasurer of the Law Society of Ontario from 2020 to 2022.
She is depicted wearing the traditional ceremonial black robes, gold-trimmed sleeves, a distinct red-lined stole, and white tabs (bands) worn by the Law Society's Treasurer during formal functions.
Outside
Normally the tour would go outside, but there is so much construction taking place. These photos are from previous visits to the grounds.
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People love to have their wedding photos taken here. They'll get married at City Hall (next door) and then walk over here.
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