Ontario Courts Crack Down on Zoom Bombing: What It Means for Personal Injury Litigants

July 29, 2025, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

A recent CBC Windsor article reports a troubling rise in Zoom bombing incidents disrupting Ontarios virtual court proceedings. The Ontario Court of Justice has now banned public observers from attending virtual hearings unless they obtain explicit permission, as a precaution against interruptions involving obscene content or targeted harassment.

What is Zoom Bombing in Ontario Courts

Zoom bombing refers to malicious participants hijacking virtual meetings, often projecting offensive images, audio or video. In one reported Ontario case, a disruptive user played pornographic content while calling a judge a racial slur, shocking observers and undermining court decorum.

Due to recurring disruptions, the Ontario government has issued a memo stating that virtual public observation of Ontario Court of Justice proceedings is now prohibited unless preapproved. In contrast, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice still allows virtual access under controlled conditions.

Why This Matters for Personal Injury Litigants

Transparency, access, and participation in the legal system matter deeply, particularly for victims and their families. Courts shifted to Zoom during the COVID19 pandemic to maintain access. Now, many personal injury cases, from motor vehicle accidents to slip and fall and catastrophic injury claims, rely on hybrid or fully virtual hearings.

If public observers are barred from virtual attendance, this could limit access for family members or support people, especially those who live far from trial centres or have mobility issues. Court experts warn this may infringe upon Canadas open court principle, the idea that justice should be administered in public view, even virtually.

How Deutschmann de Koning Law Supports Clients Amid These Changes

Deutschmann de Koning Law is a trusted Ontario personal injury and disability law firm with offices in Kitchener Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Guelph, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr, serving communities including New Hamburg, Elmira, Ingersoll and more.

Founded nearly 30 years ago, the firm recently rebranded, now led by founding partner Rob Deutschmann and partner Nick de Koning, bringing decades of experience in accident benefit law and personal injury litigation.

Their team routinely handles cases involving

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Bicycle, pedestrian, workplace, and slip and fall injuries
• Brain and spinal cord injuries
• Catastrophic injury and wrongful death
• Disability insurance claims and accident benefit denials

Why Transparency in Court Access Matters to Accident Victims

When a personal injury case proceeds virtually, injured parties, witnesses, and observers expect fair, uninterrupted access to hearings. Zoom disruptions can compromise

• The dignity and solemnity of proceedings
• A supportive environment for plaintiffs and their families
• Public and media observation that ensures accountability

The decision to restrict public virtual access aims for security but also risks excluding the most vulnerable parties from meaningful participation.

What Personal Injury Plaintiffs Should Know

1. Know the court Whether the hearing is set in the Ontario Court of Justice or Superior Court matters because the virtual access rules differ.
2. Apply for virtual observer access early Victims, their families, or media may need to request permission in advance.
3. Understand safety protocols The courts are aware of common Zoom bomber tactics, including impersonation of interpreters, jail screens, or police accounts, and now tightly restrict who can observe.

What Differentiates Deutschmann de Koning Law

• Extensive local coverage Serving clients across Waterloo Region and Southwestern Ontario with multiple offices and local awareness
• Expertise in high stakes litigation Nick de Koning has argued precedent setting cases before the Ontario Court of Appeal, including Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule clarifications and excess liability issues
• Compassionate client focus Rob Deutschmann takes a hands on approach to case management, tailoring representation to each clients specific medical, emotional and financial needs

In light of recent Zoom bombing concerns and new virtual access restrictions in Ontario courts, it is more important than ever to secure experienced, locally trusted legal representation. Deutschmann de Koning Law offers unmatched expertise in personal injury and disability cases, ensuring clients rights are protected and their voices heard whether hearings are in person or online.

If you have been injured or denied accident benefits, contact Deutschmann de Koning Law for a free consultation.

About Deutschmann de Koning Law

Deutschmann de Koning Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann and Nick de Koning focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.ddinjurylaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.