The Honourable Darren Thorne

Justice Darren R. Thorne was born in Toronto, and raised both there and in Calgary. Educated at Osgoode Hall Law School (Bachelor of Laws degree), and the London School of Economics and Political Science (Master of Laws degree), he was called to the Bar of Ontario.

Justice Thorne began his career at a major Bay Street Toronto law firm, and also practiced human rights and disability law at ARCH Disability Law Centre as a young lawyer. He went on to work internationally in rule of law enhancement, engaging in project work throughout various African countries, Europe and elsewhere in the world.

Upon his return to Canada, he became counsel at the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General's Constitutional Law Branch, where he vetted the constitutionality of government legislation and policy initiatives, and defended the province in constitutional litigation. He was later promoted to Counsel and Senior Advisor to the Deputy Attorney General of Ontario. He would ultimately be appointed as Vice-Chair of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, where he adjudicated cases of alleged human rights violations, and then presided as a Member of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada’s Refugee Appeal Division, where he served until his appointment to the Court.

Justice Thorne also formerly served as an Adjunct professor of law, doing so at Osgoode Hall Law School, and also on the Master of Laws programs at the University of the Western Cape, and the University of Pretoria, in South Africa. He taught a variety of subjects at these institutions at both the Bachelor and Masters levels, including Constitutional Law, International Human Rights, United Nations law, International Legal Practice, and Negotiation Skills. For a number of years, he also served on the Board of Directors for the Toronto legal clinic Justice for Children and Youth.

Appointed Judge of the Federal Court, and ex officio member of the Federal Court of Appeal, on March 7, 2025.