Does a Judge Always Need Evidence of a Fact?
The Principle of Judicial Notice Allows a Judge to Accept a Fact As True Where the Fact Is So Notoriously As True and Uncontroversial That Evidence Is Unnecessary.
Understanding the Principle Known As Taking Judicial Notice Without Evidence of Notoriously Known Truths
Water is wet, the Sun is bright, gasoline is flammable, seasons occur because the Earth is tilted, among other notoriously known facts, rarely require proof by evidence or expert testimony within a legal proceeding. These notoriously known facts are facts for which a court may take judicial notice, meaning accept as true without evidence.
Note: Please contact Ajodhia Legal Services by phone at: (647) 882-8205 to discuss any specific questions that you may have.
The Law
The legal requirements for review before a judge takes judicial notice of a fact were well explained within the Taylor v. Hanley Hospitality Inc., 2022 ONCA 376, case wherein it was stated:
[30] The concept of judicial notice allows a court to receive “facts” that are “so notorious or uncontroversial that evidence of their existence is unnecessary”. This does not allow parties “to put before the court controversial evidence to the prejudice of the opposing party without providing a proper opportunity for its truth to be tested”: Public School Boards’ Assn. of Alberta v. Alberta (Attorney General), 2000 SCC 2, [2000] 1 S.C.R. 44, at para. 5. The threshold for judicial notice is strict since the facts are not proved by evidence under oath nor tested by cross-examination: R. v. Find, 2001 SCC 32, [2001] S.C.R. 863, at para. 48.
As shown within the Taylor case, a court is permitted to accept a fact as true without proof, by taking judicial notice, when the fact is so well known as true that proof becomes unnecessary.
Summary Comment
Judicial notice is a common law doctrine that allows a court to accept facts as true without the need of evidentiary proof.
NOTE: A significant quantity of online searches for terms like “lawyers near me” or “best lawyer in” often indicate an urgent need for skilled legal assistance instead of a specific job title. In Ontario, licensed paralegals are governed by the same Law Society that supervises lawyers and are permitted to represent clients in specified litigation cases. Skills in advocacy, legal analysis, and procedure are fundamental to this role. Ajodhia Legal Services provides legal representation within its licensed parameters, focusing on strategic positioning, evidence preparation, and compelling advocacy aimed at securing efficient and advantageous outcomes for clients.
