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Neuberger & Partners LLP is deeply concerned by the allegations surrounding the events involving Sudine Riley, a criminal defence lawyer, on Friday, January 23, 2026, at the Oshawa Courthouse.
As outlined in a public statement issued by Ms. Riley’s counsel, Ms. Riley had just completed a trial and was working in an interview room outside the courtroom when her presence was challenged by uniformed Durham Regional Police Service officers. It is alleged that officers forcibly removed her from the room, slammed her head onto a desk, placed knees on her back and neck, handcuffed her, and took her to holding cells within the courthouse. During the incident, her headscarf was allegedly torn off, her clothing disturbed, and she sustained visible injuries, including bleeding and swelling.
Ms. Riley is a racialized female lawyer and a member of the criminal defence bar in Ontario. The allegations, if proven, describe conduct that is profoundly disturbing, particularly given the setting in which it occurred and the fact that Ms. Riley was lawfully present and engaged in her professional duties.
These allegations also raise broader and deeply concerning issues about the treatment of racialized lawyers within our justice system. Many female and racialized members of the bar can attest that having their presence questioned in courthouses is not an isolated experience. When such questioning escalates into physical force, the implications are grave, not only for the individual involved, but for the integrity of the justice system itself.
All lawyers must be able to work in Ontario courthouses without fear of violence, humiliation, or discrimination. The safety, dignity, and equal treatment of legal professionals are fundamental to the administration of justice.
Given the seriousness of the allegations, and the human rights concerns they raise, we support calls for a thorough, independent investigation conducted by an external body with demonstrated expertise in human rights and anti-Black racism. Accountability and transparency are essential to maintaining public confidence in the justice system and ensuring that courthouses remain safe spaces for all who serve within them.
Joseph Neuberger
