Overview

The Rules of Civil Procedure set out the procedural steps that apply to civil law matters at the Superior Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal of Ontario. The Rules of the Small Claims Court set out the procedural steps that apply in the Small Claims Court.

The Civil Rules Committee has responsibility for making changes to these two sets of rules, subject to the approval of the Attorney General. The committee may seek feedback from members of the bar or the public on the development of certain changes. In addition, anyone can write to the Secretary of the Committee to suggest a rule change.

The Civil Rules Committee is not part of the Ministry of the Attorney General.

The committee typically meets two to four times a year, or more often if necessary.

The Civil Rules Committee is only responsible for the civil and Small Claims Court rules of court. The Family Law Rules are the responsibility of the Family Rules Committee.

Members and appointments

The Civil Rules Committee has 29 members, including:

  • the Chief Justices and Associate Chief Justices of Ontario and of the Superior Court of Justice
  • other members of the judiciary
  • the Attorney General or a designate
  • Ministry of the Attorney General staff and counsel
  • private sector lawyers

The members are appointed to the committee by the Chief Justices, the Attorney General or the Law Society of Ontario, according to the relevant section of the Courts of Justice Act. See the full list below.

Most members hold their position for three years and are eligible for reappointment. Members volunteer their time to the committee.

The roles and membership structure of the Civil Rules Committee are set out in section 65 of the Courts of Justice Act. Section 66 of the Act describes the subject matter over which the committee has authority to make rules.

List of committee members

Court of Appeal for Ontario

  • The Honourable Michael H. Tulloch, Chief Justice of Ontario, appointed pursuant to Courts of Justice Act s. 65(2)(a)
  • The Honourable Michal Fairburn, Associate Chief Justice of Ontario, represented by the Honourable Justice Kathryn Feldman (Acting Committee Chair) appointed pursuant to Courts of Justice Act s. 65(2)(a)
  • The Honourable Justice Peter Lauwers, judge of the Court of Appeal for Ontario, appointed pursuant to Courts of Justice Act s. 65(2)(b)
  • The Honourable Justice Julie A. Thorburn, judge of the Court of Appeal for Ontario, appointed pursuant to Courts of Justice Act s. 65(2)(b)

Superior Court of Justice

  • The Honourable Geoffrey Morawetz, Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Justice, appointed pursuant to Courts of Justice Act s. 65(2)(a.1)
  • The Honourable Faye E. McWatt, Associate Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Justice, appointed pursuant to Courts of Justice Act s. 65(2)(a.1)
  • The Honourable Regional Senior Justice Mark Edwards, judge of the Superior Court of Justice, appointed pursuant to Courts of Justice Act s. s. 65(2)(c)
  • The Honourable Regional Senior Justice Gregory Ellies, judge of the Superior Court of Justice, appointed pursuant to Courts of Justice Act s. s. 65(2)(c)
  • The Honourable Regional Senior Justice Stephen Firestone, judge of the Superior Court of Justice, appointed pursuant to Courts of Justice Act s. 65(2)(c)
  • The Honourable Regional Senior Justice Calum MacLeod, judge of the Superior Court of Justice, appointed pursuant to Courts of Justice Act s. 65(2)(c)
  • The Honourable Regional Senior Justice Paul R. Sweeny, judge of the Superior Court of Justice, appointed pursuant to Courts of Justice Act s. 65(2)(c)
  • The Honourable Justice Michael G. Emery, judge of the Superior Court of Justice, appointed pursuant to Courts of Justice Act s. 65(2)(c)
  • The Honourable Justice A. Duncan Grace, judge of the Superior Court of Justice, appointed pursuant to Courts of Justice Act s. 65(2)(c)
  • The Honourable Darla Wilson, judge of the Superior Court of Justice, appointed pursuant to Courts of Justice Act s. 65(2)(c)

Ontario Court of Justice

The Honourable Lise Maisonneuve, Chief Justice of the Ontario Court of Justice, represented by the Honourable Justice P. Monahan, appointed pursuant to Courts of Justice Act s. 65(2)(a.2)  

Small Claims Court

The Honourable Justice L. Ntoukas, Small Claims Court Administrative judge, appointed pursuant to Courts of Justice Act s. 65(2)(d)

Ministry of the Attorney General

  • Joshua Hunter, counsel (representing the Attorney General), appointed pursuant to Courts of Justice Act s. 65(2)(e)
  • Sunil Mathai, counsel, Law Officer of the Crown, appointed pursuant to Courts of Justice Act s. 65(2)(f)
  • Beverly Leonard, Assistant Deputy Attorney General, Court Services Division, appointed pursuant to Courts of Justice Act s. 65(2)(g)
  • Linda Omazic, counsel, Court Services Division appointed pursuant to Courts of Justice Act s. 65(2)(g)

Lawyers of the private bar

  • Lee Akazaki, private bar, appointed pursuant to Courts of Justice Act s. 65(2)(h)
  • Ranjan Das, private bar, appointed pursuant to Courts of Justice Act s. 65(2)(h)
  • Barbara Legate, private bar, appointed pursuant to Courts of Justice Act s. 65(2)(h)
  • Kathryn Manning, private bar, appointed pursuant to Courts of Justice Act s. 65(2)(h)
  • W. A. D. Millar, private bar, appointed pursuant to Courts of Justice Act s. 65(2)(i)
  • Jennifer Bezaire, private bar, appointed pursuant to Courts of Justice Act s. 65(2)(j)
  • Etienne Esquega, private bar, appointed pursuant to Courts of Justice Act s. 65(2)(j)
  • Darcy Romaine, private bar, appointed pursuant to Courts of Justice Act s. 65(2)(j)
  • Margaret Waddell, private bar, appointed pursuant to Courts of Justice Act s. 65(2)(j)

Feedback

To suggest improvements to the Rules of Civil Procedure or the Rules of the Small Claims Court, please contact:

  • Executive Legal Officer and Secretary
  • Civil Rules Committee
  • Court of Appeal for Ontario
  • 130 Queen Street West
  • Toronto, Ontario
  • M5H 2N5
  • CRC.Secretary@ontario.ca