Home / Bail Hearings in London
Defending Your Rights, Protecting Your Future
Overview
An arrest in London can set an urgent timeline in motion. Bail hearings are typically scheduled within 24 hours of being taken into custody, and the strength of the release plan presented in that window can determine whether someone returns home or remains detained.
Sanctuary Lawyers provides bail hearing representation for London matters from our Aurora office. Our criminal lawyers are familiar with how bail proceedings are handled at the London courthouse and attend with the preparation these hearings require. Our team is available 24/7.
Our Difference
Criminal bail hearings for London and the surrounding Middlesex County area are conducted at the courthouse at 80 Dundas Street. Our bail lawyers understand the procedural expectations at this courthouse and prepare release plans that reflect how local Justices of the Peace and Crown prosecutors assess bail applications.
The time between an arrest and a bail hearing is measured in hours. During that period, we identify sureties, build a structured release plan, and prepare the documentation the court requires. We are available evenings, weekends, and statutory holidays to ensure preparation is not delayed by the calendar.
Every release plan we prepare addresses the three statutory grounds for detention - whether the accused will attend court, whether they pose a risk to public safety, and whether their release would undermine confidence in the justice system. Each plan is tailored to the specific facts and the expectations of the London bail court.
Release
First appearances at the London courthouse are an opportunity to resolve the bail question early. We attend with a finalized release plan, a prepared surety, and a clear understanding of the charges and the Crown's likely position.
When the Crown opposes release, the hearing becomes a contested proceeding. We call sureties, present evidence, and make focused legal submissions on each of the section 515(10) grounds. Contested hearings require a bail lawyer who can respond to the Crown's objections in real time.
Certain charges shift the burden to the accused to justify release - including firearms offences, offences committed while on existing release, and serious drug trafficking charges. We prepare enhanced release plans with reinforced supervision and stronger surety candidates to meet this higher threshold.
Where the Crown is prepared to consent to release under appropriate conditions, we negotiate terms that are proportionate and achievable. The goal is to secure release under conditions the accused can realistically follow.
If the initial bail hearing results in detention, the matter can be reviewed by a Superior Court judge under section 520 of the Criminal Code. We assess the original decision for errors and prepare a fresh application with updated materials where the circumstances support it.
For a full explanation of the bail process, see our Bail Lawyers page.
Step by Step
We begin with a call to understand the situation - the charges, the arresting division, the accused's background, and whether sureties are available. This conversation shapes the preparation strategy for the bail hearing.
We review the charges and build a release plan designed for the London courthouse. Each plan reflects the specific facts of the case, the accused's circumstances, and the Crown's anticipated position.
The surety is often the most important witness in a bail hearing. We prepare each surety individually, covering their financial position, supervision plan, and the specific questions the Crown is likely to ask.
We attend the bail hearing at the London courthouse and present the case for release. Whether the hearing proceeds on consent or is contested, our criminal lawyers handle every aspect of the proceeding with the focus the matter requires.
In Court
Arrests on weekends and statutory holidays do not pause the bail process. WASH Court proceedings for London matters require immediate preparation, and we deliver it regardless of the day or time.
Documentation, surety briefings, and legal submissions are prepared in advance. The standard of preparation does not change because the hearing falls outside regular court hours.
Release
If someone you care about has been arrested in London, the next 24 hours will likely determine whether they remain in custody or return home. Early preparation is the single most important factor in securing release.
Sanctuary Lawyers is available around the clock. Our bail lawyers will begin working on the release plan the moment you reach out.
Answers
Bail hearings can raise difficult questions, particularly when decisions are being made quickly and information is limited. The questions below address common concerns for those dealing with bail proceedings in London.
Criminal bail hearings for London matters are held at the courthouse at 80 Dundas Street in London. This courthouse handles criminal matters for the city and the surrounding Middlesex County area.
The Criminal Code requires that a bail hearing occur within 24 hours of arrest or as soon as practicable. At the London courthouse, most hearings are scheduled for the following business day.
Not always. Whether a surety is needed depends on the severity of the charges, the accused's record, and the Crown's position. A bail lawyer can advise on the best approach before the hearing.
A detention order can be challenged through a bail review in the Superior Court under section 520 of the Criminal Code. Learn more in our guide Ontario Bail Hearing Explained.
Contact Us
If you require urgent bail representation for a London matter, we are prepared to assist immediately. At Sanctuary Lawyers, we don't just defend cases - we defend futures.
Southern Ontario
London serves as the judicial centre for Middlesex County. Criminal matters arising in surrounding communities, including Strathroy, St. Thomas, and Woodstock, may also proceed through the London courthouse depending on the jurisdiction. Our bail lawyers handle matters from across the region with the same urgency.
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