Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel S. Sharpe, DSO, MP Courthouse – Oshawa, ON

Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel S. Sharpe, DSO, MP Courthouse

The Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel S. Sharpe, DSO, MP Courthouse, located at 150 Bond Street East in downtown Oshawa, stands as the central hub for justice services in the Regional Municipality of Durham. Opened in 2010, this substantial facility consolidated the operations of the Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Justice, which were previously dispersed across Whitby and Oshawa. The building is named in honour of Samuel Simpson Sharpe, a lawyer and Member of Parliament from Uxbridge who raised the 116th Battalion during the First World War and tragically died by suicide due to operational stress injury, now recognized as a hero of mental health awareness.

Court Jurisdiction and Services

As a consolidated courthouse, the facility handles a comprehensive range of legal matters, serving a population of over 700,000 residents. Its jurisdiction includes:

• Criminal Law: The Ontario Court of Justice presides over bail hearings, preliminary inquiries, and trials for most criminal offences. The Superior Court of Justice handles the most serious indictable offences, often involving jury trials.
• Family Law: The courthouse is home to the Family Court branch, addressing issues such as divorce, child custody, access, support, and child protection matters involving the Children’s Aid Society.
• Civil Litigation: Disputes involving significant monetary claims, contract law, and personal injury are adjudicated here.
• Small Claims Court: This division handles civil disputes for monetary claims up to $35,000, offering a more accessible procedure for self-represented litigants.

Facility Features and Security

The courthouse is a modern, six-storey structure featuring 40 courtrooms and advanced technology to support digital evidence and remote testimony. It was designed to LEED Silver certification standards, reflecting a commitment to environmental sustainability. Security is a paramount concern; all visitors, including legal professionals and the media, must pass through rigorous airport-style security screening upon entry. Prohibited items include weapons, potential projectiles, and recording devices. The facility also houses a law library for the Durham Region Law Association and an office for the Victim/Witness Assistance Program, providing support to vulnerable individuals involved in court proceedings.

Accessibility and Access

The building is fully accessible to persons with disabilities, featuring barrier-free entrances, elevators, and equipped washrooms. Assistive listening devices are available upon request for courtroom proceedings. Public transit is convenient, with Durham Region Transit bus routes stopping nearby on Bond Street and King Street. While there is no public parking on the courthouse site itself, paid municipal parking garages and surface lots are available in the immediate vicinity.