Cloud-based Document Management at Federal Court

The cloud-based document management program, CaseLines, was introduced at the Federal Court of Canada this week, used by the parties and the Court in a motion to strike before Prothonotary Aalto. Cermaq Canada Ltd. brought the motion, seeking to strike two declarations sought by the Dzawada’enuxw First Nation (DFN) in its Statement of Claim filed. […]

Ontario Courts launch CaseLines E-Trial Platform

Ontario Courts will launch CaseLines, a cloud-based document-management system, beginning August 10, 2020. A two-week pilot will be for select civil motions and pre-trial conferences and will run in Toronto at the 330 University Avenue courthouse. The pilot will expand to all Toronto civil, Divisional Court, Commercial and Estate List, and bankruptcy matters on August […]

What E-Trials are Running in BC Right Now?

“What E-Trials are running in BC right now?” is a question that several different judges have recently asked counsel to research. The British Columbia Supreme Court is on track to start holding virtual hearings, but questions remain about how to handle documents and exhibits. To help everyone, here is a summary of the cases currently […]

Zoom Hearings in BC and Ontario

Zoom Hearings are underway at the British Columbia Court of Appeal. Today’s update on the justice system pivoting in the face of COVID-19’s “new normal” also includes a live-stream from Ontario Superior Court of Justice, and Ontario’s Divisional Court and Toronto Commercial and Estate List hearing cases via Zoom. The B.C. Court of Appeal goes […]

Tips for B.C.’s new COVID-19 Telephone Conference Hearings

Effective today, COVID-19 Telephone Conference Hearings (or “TCH”s) are B.C.’s newest process for hearing Civil and Family matters in the unfolding COVID-19 situation. The new E-Hearings mean that the Supreme Court of British Columbia can expand what matters it will hear using a process that includes: the BC Courts Scheduling website, a new TCH form, […]

Remote Hearing Live-Streamed in Canada

A remote hearing before the Ontario Divisional Court was live-streamed today. Also in this week’s update on how the justice system is pivoting in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic: Canadian Courts’ jurisdiction to run virtual hearings, Australian Courts’ pivot to holding all proceedings as remote hearings and the UK’s move to gather more evidence […]

Virtual Hearings happening in Canada

Virtual hearings are happening in courtrooms across Canada as the justice system adapts to the unfolding COVID-19 situation. This week’s update on pivots in the justice system includes: virtual hearings in Manitoba and Alberta, outreach in Ontario and data and resources we can learn from out of the UK: Alberta, Manitoba (and some courts in […]

Watching Canada’s Justice System Pivot

As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds, I am tracking the places where I see the Canadian Justice system pivot. In the past week:  Zoom used for urgent application at B.C. Supreme Court – Last Friday, Chilwin Cheng reported that he successfully held a Zoom meeting for an urgent injunction hearing at the B.C. Supreme Court. Five […]

What to do when the courthouse is closed

How to bring an urgent application at the B.C. Supreme Court when the courthouse is closed By William G. MacLeod Q.C. and Kate Gower. Effective March 19, 2020, the B.C. Supreme Court suspended regular operations of the Supreme Court of British Columbia until further notice. While the courthouse is closed, applications may be made to […]

BC’s E-Trial Practise Direction Still Powerful

In December 2019, the British Columbia Supreme Court granted an application that BC’s E-Trial Practise Direction apply to a complex, multi-party commercial case, even in the face of opposition from the plaintiffs, a defendant and third party. Long Lake Hydro Limited v. Western Versatile Construction Corp began in 2015. It considers the design and construction […]