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.
In 2024, the Federal Courts Rules Committee launched the first Global Review of the Federal Courts Rules in more than 10 years. A Sub-Committee comprising judges of the Federal Court of Appeal and Federal Court and associate judges of the Federal Court conducted a public consultation on possible changes to the Rules, and submitted Interim and Final Reports to the Rules Committee.
In its Final Report, the Sub-Committee recommended the removal of barriers to technological modernization, as well as the elimination of outdated procedures that may contribute to inefficiencies. Access to justice remains the guiding principle of the Rules, and the Sub-Committee noted that modernization must also accommodate the needs of self-represented litigants and individuals with limited access to technology.
The Final Report of the Global Review Sub-Committee is now available on the websites of the Federal Court of Appeal and the Federal Court.
The Committee currently consists of:
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| The Honourable Yves de Montigny | Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Appeal |
| The Honourable Martine St-Louis | Acting 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 Simon Fothergill | Federal Court |
| The Honourable Angela Furlanetto | Federal Court |
| The Honourable Guy Régimbald | 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: