Rules: Self-Represented Litigants, Consultation Memorandum 12.18

This memorandum raises questions about the operation of The Rules in cases involving self-represented litigants. The Committee’s position is that the same procedural requirements should apply to all persons who turn to the civil justice system for the resolution of legal issued. Self-represented litigants must understand that they are responsible for performing the tasks and carrying out the functions ordinarily required of professionally trained lawyers. Self-represented litigants will benefit from some of the Rules changes […]

March 4, 2005

Rules: Costs and Sanctions, Consultation Memorandum 12.17

This memorandum seeks comments on a large number of issues arising in connection with “party and party costs” — which are the amounts that one party to litigation must pay to the other party for expenses incurred by the latter in the course of the litigation. It explores the principles on which costs should be awarded and how the amounts awarded should be determined, as well as the associated topics of security for costs, fees […]

February 4, 2005

Rules: Miscellaneous Issues, Consultation Memorandum 12.14

This memorandum is a mixed bag of topics. It consolidates the following areas of The Rules: time, time for service of the statement of claim, delay in prosecution, discontinuance and noncompliance, and irregularities. The Rules contain over 30 different time periods, ranging in duration from 24 hours to 10 years. Most of these time periods are under 30 days and many are roughly equivalent. It is proposed to replace these 30-some time periods with a […]

November 4, 2004

Rules: Non-disclosure Order Application Procedures in Criminal Cases, Consultation Memorandum 12.15

This memorandum addresses application procedures for “non-disclosure orders” in the Court of Queen’s Bench and the Court of Appeal – including publication ban orders, certain sealing orders, and in camera orders made under discretionary common law or statutory authority. It describes the authority to make Rules of Court for criminal litigation, and the nature of federal involvement in establishing criminal Rules of Court. It also discusses the general substantive and procedural doctrine that must be […]

Rules: Trial and Evidence Rules, Parts 25 and 26, Consultation Memorandum 12.16

This memorandum deals with the Trial and Trial Evidence Rules, which are currently found in Part 25 (Rules 245-260), which deal exclusively with Trial Rules and Part 26 (Rules 261-265 and 292-296.1), which deal with Evidence both in and out of Court. The Rules in issue fall into one of three broad categories dealing with either procedural, evidential or substantive matters. The committee felt that the substantive Rules were useful, but that several of them […]

Rules: Judicial Review, Consultation Memorandum 12.13

code of Rules for judicial review, and to strive for specialized Rules, where necessary, built on the existing foundation of the general rules. It concluded that the overall scheme under Part 56.1 is appropriate and that changes are needed only in a few areas. It is proposed that the Rules be reformed to clarify that they cover statutory rights of appeal, stated cases, and controverted elections. The time for delivery of judicial review materials in […]

August 4, 2004

Rules: Enforcement of Judgments and Orders, Consultation Memorandum 12.11

This memorandum addresses a group of Rules and forms concerned with enforcement of judgments or orders of court. The committee is primarily concerned with Parts 28 (Enforcement of Judgments and Orders), 36 (Extraordinary Remedies) and 57 (Rules and Orders Promulgated under the Winding-Up Act). The committee also comments on Rules 82-83, 151, 155, 331, 333, Part 37 and some general issues. This report discusses 160 rules and 7 forms, and makes proposals on 67 issues. The […]

Rules: Summary Disposition of Actions, Consultation Memorandum 12.12

This memorandum covers an important aspect of legal practice and procedure–, the ability to have a matter disposed of in a summary way where that is a reasonable way of dealing with the action. This increases access to justice, in that it frees up trial time for other matters requiring a full hearing. It is also likely to cost the litigants less money, and certainly uses up less of their time. As summary dispositions often […]

Rules: Motions and Orders, Consultation Memorandum 12.10

This memorandum addresses the procedural Rules governing motions and applications; the evidentiary Rules concerning motions and applications; the Rules governing variation, setting aside and correction of orders and judgments; and the Rules dealing with entry of orders and judgments. The Committee does not propose any changes to the materials to be filed for General Chambers or to the time limits that determine whether a motion is to be heard in General Chambers or Special Chambers. […]

July 4, 2004

Rules: Joining Claims and Parties, Including Third Party Claims, Counterclaims and Representative Actions, Consultation Memorandum 12.9

This memorandum covers a wide but inter-related range of subjects: amendment of pleadings; joinder of claims and consolidation of actions; joinder of parties; third party claims; counterclaims; and representative actions. It organizes discussion under 43 issues distilled from research, consultation and the experience and views of the General Rewrite Committee. With respect to amendments by one party, the Committee proposes: that, instead of the present limit of one, there be no limit on the number […]

February 4, 2004