The Federal Court of Canada has just issued a new Practice Direction and Order (COVID-19): Update #2 (April 29, 2020). The April 29 Practice Direction amends the Court's previous Updated Practice Direction and Order (COVID-19), dated April 4, 2020.
The April 29 Practice Direction confirms that, subject to certain exceptions, no hearings will be held until June 29, 2020 – they have all been adjourned. The Court will continue to hear urgent or exceptional matters. Case Management Judge's will continue to manage cases. The Court will try to accommodate requests for telephone and video conference hearings and has even identified a number of matters that it would like to have moved forward during the Suspension Period. The Court will be outlining how it intends to effectively conduct hearings by video.
The April 29 Practice Direction also extends the Suspension Period to May 29, 2020. Deadlines for filing of documents and the taking of other procedural steps set by the Federal Courts Rules or by Order issued prior to March 16, 2020, will be extended by 14 days following the end of the Suspension Period, to June 12, 2020. As the Court explains, "... if a party had three days prior to March 16th to take a step, the party will have those same three days plus an additional 14 days after May 29, 2020 to take that step. In this example, the new deadline to file would be June 15, 2020. The timelines for taking subsequent steps would be similarly extended."
The April 29 Practice Direction confirms that the Court remains ready, willing and able to continue its important work on urgent matters notwithstanding the COVID-19 pandemic while simultaneously accommodating for the many difficulties facing litigants at this time.
Originally published April 29, 2020
About Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
Norton Rose Fulbright is a global law firm. We provide the world's preeminent corporations and financial institutions with a full business law service. We have 3800 lawyers and other legal staff based in more than 50 cities across Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.
Recognized for our industry focus, we are strong across all the key industry sectors: financial institutions; energy; infrastructure, mining and commodities; transport; technology and innovation; and life sciences and healthcare.
Wherever we are, we operate in accordance with our global business principles of quality, unity and integrity. We aim to provide the highest possible standard of legal service in each of our offices and to maintain that level of quality at every point of contact.
For more information about Norton Rose Fulbright, see nortonrosefulbright.com/legal-notices.
Law around the world
nortonrosefulbright.com
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.