Court Initiatives
Rules Committee
The Rules Committee, established pursuant to section 45.1 of the Federal Courts Act, ensures the currency and clarity of the Federal Courts Rules.
The mandate of the Rules Committee is to review the Rules and to suggest amendments or additions. Drafters at the Department of Justice Canada ultimately draft the changes pursuant to the instructions of the Rules Committee and the Rules Committee approves them for publication.
The Federal Courts Rules Committee has established a Sub-Committee to conduct a global review of the Federal Courts Rules. The Sub-Committee has now posted an Invitation to Participate in a public consultation. All interested persons are welcome to provide comments and suggestions.
The Rules Committee generally meets at least twice a year.
The Committee currently consists of:
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| The Honourable Yves de Montigny | Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Appeal |
| The Honourable Paul Crampton | Chief Justice of the Federal Court |
| The Honourable Jocelyne Gagné | Associate Chief Justice of the Federal Court |
| The Honourable Mary J.L. Gleason | Federal Court of Appeal |
| The Honourable John B. Laskin (chair) | Federal Court of Appeal |
| The Honourable K.A. Siobhan Monaghan | Federal Court of Appeal |
| The Honourable Glennys L. McVeigh | Federal Court |
| The Honourable Henry S. Brown | Federal Court |
| The Honourable Peter George Pamel | Federal Court |
| The Honourable Simon Fothergill | Federal Court |
| Associate Judge Alexandra Steele | Federal Court |
| Darlene Carreau | Chief Administrator of the Courts Administration Service |
| Mario Bellissimo | Member of the bar |
| Sana Halwani | Member of the bar |
| Danièle Dion | Member of the bar |
| Krista Robertson | Member of the bar |
| Daniel Wallace | Member of the bar |
| Robert MacKinnon | Attorney General of Canada’s representative |
Pilot project on procedural bijuralism
On September 5, 2019, the Federal Court of Appeal and the Federal Court announced a pilot project that would allow for the application of Quebec’s Code of Civil Procedure, with the necessary adaptations, in specified judicial proceedings.
Inspired by a desire for a closer connection with Quebec jurists, the procedural bijuralism pilot project acknowledges the vast experience of Quebec counsel with judicial institutions that apply Quebec’s Code of Civil Procedure.
The pilot project is consistent with the Court’s intention to provide improved access to justice in the general context of Canadian bijuralism, by making practice before the federal courts in Quebec more familiar and accessible.
As of November 28, 2019, parties represented by lawyers who are members of the Barreau du Québec are able to avail themselves of the pilot project.
For more information please review the following documents:
- Paragraph 54 - 56 of the Court’s Consolidated Practice Direction;
- Information document for the parties ; and
- Consent form.
- Date modified: