Civil Rules Review Central
Civil Rules Review Central
Civil Rules Review Central
Latest Update: The Working Group has submitted its final report to Chief Justice Morawetz and the Attorney General of Ontario. The recommendations in the Final Policy Proposal are currently under review. Once a decision is made regarding whether to accept all or some of the recommendations, the approved recommendations in the Final Policy Proposal will be drafted into amendments to the Rules of Civil Procedure for legislative approval. Timelines for when the changes to the Rules will take effect and transition provisions have not been announced.
A New Era of Litigation Reform
Ontario is entering a transformative phase in civil justice with a comprehensive overhaul of its Rules of Civil Procedure, designed to streamline litigation, reduce delays, and promote early resolution.
Key reforms include fixed litigation timelines, mandatory pre-litigation protocols for select cases, the elimination of oral discovery in favour of upfront evidence exchange, and a shift to a “reliance-based” model for document production. A single online entry point, a new duty to cooperate, and limited adjournments further modernize the process.
Supporting the review’s co-chairs is a diverse working group composed of leaders from across the legal community, including members of the private and public bar, the judiciary, and academia, among them Lerners' partner Jacob Damstra.
Introducing CRR Central
Lerners is a leading litigation firm in Ontario with deep expertise across commercial disputes, class actions, insurance, and professional liability. Its teams combine rigorous preparation, strategic advocacy, and responsive client service to achieve strong results at trial and in alternative dispute resolution.
Background
The Civil Rules Review (CRR) officially launched in January 2024, co-chaired by Justice Cary Boswell of the Superior Court of Justice and Allison Speigel, partner at Speigel Nichols Fox LLP. Their mandate is clear: to conduct a full-scale review of the Rules of Civil Procedure and, through broad consultation, identify targeted reforms that will enhance access to justice, reduce procedural complexity and cost, improve efficiency, and better leverage technology across Ontario’s civil courts. The CRR’s guiding principles are outlined in its Terms of Reference.
The CRR’s work is structured over a two-year period and unfolds in three key phases:
Scoping
January 2024 - May 2024
Stakeholder consultations and research to identify priority areas for reform.
Study and Policy Proposal Development
June 2024 - June 2025
Drafting of detailed proposals and public consultation.
Approval and Implementation
July 2025 - December 2025
Finalization of reforms, regulatory approval, and preparation for implementation.
The Civil Rules Review Working Group’s Final Policy Report was released on December 15, 2025. Chief Justice Morawetz and the Attorney General of Ontario are to provide direction as to the acceptance of the recommendations. If approved, the first changes could take effect as early as mid-2026.
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London
Toronto
Kitchener–Waterloo
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Administrative and Public Law
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Specialty Risk and Insurance
Technology and Startups
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Wills and Estates
London
Toronto
Kitchener–Waterloo
Strathroy
Administrative and Public Law
Agriculture
Appeals
Arbitration and Mediation
Articling
Banking and Financial Services
Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Insolvency
Business Law
Charity and Nonprofits
Civil Rules Review
Class Actions
Commercial Litigation
Commercial Real Estate and Land Development
Construction and Land Development
Construction Law
Diversity & Inclusion
Education Law
Employment and Labour Law
Energy
Environmental
Family Law
Health Law
Healthcare
Intellectual Property and Technology
Manufacturing and Supply Chain
Municipal Law
Municipalities and Public Entities
Personal Injury
Privacy and Cybersecurity
Professional Regulation and Liability
Real Estate
Residential Real Estate
Sexual Assault and Abuse
Specialty Risk and Insurance
Technology and Startups
Transportation
Wills and Estates
London
Toronto
Kitchener–Waterloo
Strathroy
Administrative and Public Law
Agriculture
Appeals
Arbitration and Mediation
Articling
Banking and Financial Services
Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Insolvency
Business Law
Charity and Nonprofits
Civil Rules Review
Class Actions
Commercial Litigation
Commercial Real Estate and Land Development
Construction and Land Development
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Diversity & Inclusion
Education Law
Employment and Labour Law
Energy
Environmental
Family Law
Health Law
Healthcare
Intellectual Property and Technology
Manufacturing and Supply Chain
Municipal Law
Municipalities and Public Entities
Personal Injury
Privacy and Cybersecurity
Professional Regulation and Liability
Real Estate
Residential Real Estate
Sexual Assault and Abuse
Specialty Risk and Insurance
Technology and Startups
Transportation
Wills and Estates
London
Toronto
Kitchener–Waterloo
Strathroy
Administrative and Public Law
Agriculture
Appeals
Arbitration and Mediation
Articling
Banking and Financial Services
Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Insolvency
Business Law
Charity and Nonprofits
Civil Rules Review
Class Actions
Commercial Litigation
Commercial Real Estate and Land Development
Construction and Land Development
Construction Law
Diversity & Inclusion
Education Law
Employment and Labour Law
Energy
Environmental
Family Law
Health Law
Healthcare
Intellectual Property and Technology
Manufacturing and Supply Chain
Municipal Law
Municipalities and Public Entities
Personal Injury
Privacy and Cybersecurity
Professional Regulation and Liability
Real Estate
Residential Real Estate
Sexual Assault and Abuse
Specialty Risk and Insurance
Technology and Startups
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Wills and Estates
Contributors
London
Toronto
Kitchener–Waterloo
Strathroy
Administrative and Public Law
Agriculture
Appeals
Arbitration and Mediation
Articling
Banking and Financial Services
Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Insolvency
Business Law
Charity and Nonprofits
Civil Rules Review
Class Actions
Commercial Litigation
Commercial Real Estate and Land Development
Construction and Land Development
Construction Law
Diversity & Inclusion
Education Law
Employment and Labour Law
Energy
Environmental
Family Law
Health Law
Healthcare
Intellectual Property and Technology
Manufacturing and Supply Chain
Municipal Law
Municipalities and Public Entities
Personal Injury
Privacy and Cybersecurity
Professional Regulation and Liability
Real Estate
Residential Real Estate
Sexual Assault and Abuse
Specialty Risk and Insurance
Technology and Startups
Transportation
Wills and Estates
London
Toronto
Kitchener–Waterloo
Strathroy
Administrative and Public Law
Agriculture
Appeals
Arbitration and Mediation
Articling
Banking and Financial Services
Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Insolvency
Business Law
Charity and Nonprofits
Civil Rules Review
Class Actions
Commercial Litigation
Commercial Real Estate and Land Development
Construction and Land Development
Construction Law
Diversity & Inclusion
Education Law
Employment and Labour Law
Energy
Environmental
Family Law
Health Law
Healthcare
Intellectual Property and Technology
Manufacturing and Supply Chain
Municipal Law
Municipalities and Public Entities
Personal Injury
Privacy and Cybersecurity
Professional Regulation and Liability
Real Estate
Residential Real Estate
Sexual Assault and Abuse
Specialty Risk and Insurance
Technology and Startups
Transportation
Wills and Estates
London
Toronto
Kitchener–Waterloo
Strathroy
Administrative and Public Law
Agriculture
Appeals
Arbitration and Mediation
Articling
Banking and Financial Services
Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Insolvency
Business Law
Charity and Nonprofits
Civil Rules Review
Class Actions
Commercial Litigation
Commercial Real Estate and Land Development
Construction and Land Development
Construction Law
Diversity & Inclusion
Education Law
Employment and Labour Law
Energy
Environmental
Family Law
Health Law
Healthcare
Intellectual Property and Technology
Manufacturing and Supply Chain
Municipal Law
Municipalities and Public Entities
Personal Injury
Privacy and Cybersecurity
Professional Regulation and Liability
Real Estate
Residential Real Estate
Sexual Assault and Abuse
Specialty Risk and Insurance
Technology and Startups
Transportation
Wills and Estates
London
Toronto
Kitchener–Waterloo
Strathroy
Administrative and Public Law
Agriculture
Appeals
Arbitration and Mediation
Articling
Banking and Financial Services
Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Insolvency
Business Law
Charity and Nonprofits
Civil Rules Review
Class Actions
Commercial Litigation
Commercial Real Estate and Land Development
Construction and Land Development
Construction Law
Diversity & Inclusion
Education Law
Employment and Labour Law
Energy
Environmental
Family Law
Health Law
Healthcare
Intellectual Property and Technology
Manufacturing and Supply Chain
Municipal Law
Municipalities and Public Entities
Personal Injury
Privacy and Cybersecurity
Professional Regulation and Liability
Real Estate
Residential Real Estate
Sexual Assault and Abuse
Specialty Risk and Insurance
Technology and Startups
Transportation
Wills and Estates
London
Toronto
Kitchener–Waterloo
Strathroy
Administrative and Public Law
Agriculture
Appeals
Arbitration and Mediation
Articling
Banking and Financial Services
Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Insolvency
Business Law
Charity and Nonprofits
Civil Rules Review
Class Actions
Commercial Litigation
Commercial Real Estate and Land Development
Construction and Land Development
Construction Law
Diversity & Inclusion
Education Law
Employment and Labour Law
Energy
Environmental
Family Law
Health Law
Healthcare
Intellectual Property and Technology
Manufacturing and Supply Chain
Municipal Law
Municipalities and Public Entities
Personal Injury
Privacy and Cybersecurity
Professional Regulation and Liability
Real Estate
Residential Real Estate
Sexual Assault and Abuse
Specialty Risk and Insurance
Technology and Startups
Transportation
Wills and Estates
London
Toronto
Kitchener–Waterloo
Strathroy
Administrative and Public Law
Agriculture
Appeals
Arbitration and Mediation
Articling
Banking and Financial Services
Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Insolvency
Business Law
Charity and Nonprofits
Civil Rules Review
Class Actions
Commercial Litigation
Commercial Real Estate and Land Development
Construction and Land Development
Construction Law
Diversity & Inclusion
Education Law
Employment and Labour Law
Energy
Environmental
Family Law
Health Law
Healthcare
Intellectual Property and Technology
Manufacturing and Supply Chain
Municipal Law
Municipalities and Public Entities
Personal Injury
Privacy and Cybersecurity
Professional Regulation and Liability
Real Estate
Residential Real Estate
Sexual Assault and Abuse
Specialty Risk and Insurance
Technology and Startups
Transportation
Wills and Estates
London
Toronto
Kitchener–Waterloo
Strathroy
Administrative and Public Law
Agriculture
Appeals
Arbitration and Mediation
Articling
Banking and Financial Services
Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Insolvency
Business Law
Charity and Nonprofits
Civil Rules Review
Class Actions
Commercial Litigation
Commercial Real Estate and Land Development
Construction and Land Development
Construction Law
Diversity & Inclusion
Education Law
Employment and Labour Law
Energy
Environmental
Family Law
Health Law
Healthcare
Intellectual Property and Technology
Manufacturing and Supply Chain
Municipal Law
Municipalities and Public Entities
Personal Injury
Privacy and Cybersecurity
Professional Regulation and Liability
Real Estate
Residential Real Estate
Sexual Assault and Abuse
Specialty Risk and Insurance
Technology and Startups
Transportation
Wills and Estates
Contributors
London
Toronto
Kitchener–Waterloo
Strathroy
Administrative and Public Law
Agriculture
Appeals
Arbitration and Mediation
Articling
Banking and Financial Services
Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Insolvency
Business Law
Charity and Nonprofits
Civil Rules Review
Class Actions
Commercial Litigation
Commercial Real Estate and Land Development
Construction and Land Development
Construction Law
Diversity & Inclusion
Education Law
Employment and Labour Law
Energy
Environmental
Family Law
Health Law
Healthcare
Intellectual Property and Technology
Manufacturing and Supply Chain
Municipal Law
Municipalities and Public Entities
Personal Injury
Privacy and Cybersecurity
Professional Regulation and Liability
Real Estate
Residential Real Estate
Sexual Assault and Abuse
Specialty Risk and Insurance
Technology and Startups
Transportation
Wills and Estates
London
Toronto
Kitchener–Waterloo
Strathroy
Administrative and Public Law
Agriculture
Appeals
Arbitration and Mediation
Articling
Banking and Financial Services
Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Insolvency
Business Law
Charity and Nonprofits
Civil Rules Review
Class Actions
Commercial Litigation
Commercial Real Estate and Land Development
Construction and Land Development
Construction Law
Diversity & Inclusion
Education Law
Employment and Labour Law
Energy
Environmental
Family Law
Health Law
Healthcare
Intellectual Property and Technology
Manufacturing and Supply Chain
Municipal Law
Municipalities and Public Entities
Personal Injury
Privacy and Cybersecurity
Professional Regulation and Liability
Real Estate
Residential Real Estate
Sexual Assault and Abuse
Specialty Risk and Insurance
Technology and Startups
Transportation
Wills and Estates
London
Toronto
Kitchener–Waterloo
Strathroy
Administrative and Public Law
Agriculture
Appeals
Arbitration and Mediation
Articling
Banking and Financial Services
Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Insolvency
Business Law
Charity and Nonprofits
Civil Rules Review
Class Actions
Commercial Litigation
Commercial Real Estate and Land Development
Construction and Land Development
Construction Law
Diversity & Inclusion
Education Law
Employment and Labour Law
Energy
Environmental
Family Law
Health Law
Healthcare
Intellectual Property and Technology
Manufacturing and Supply Chain
Municipal Law
Municipalities and Public Entities
Personal Injury
Privacy and Cybersecurity
Professional Regulation and Liability
Real Estate
Residential Real Estate
Sexual Assault and Abuse
Specialty Risk and Insurance
Technology and Startups
Transportation
Wills and Estates
London
Toronto
Kitchener–Waterloo
Strathroy
Administrative and Public Law
Agriculture
Appeals
Arbitration and Mediation
Articling
Banking and Financial Services
Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Insolvency
Business Law
Charity and Nonprofits
Civil Rules Review
Class Actions
Commercial Litigation
Commercial Real Estate and Land Development
Construction and Land Development
Construction Law
Diversity & Inclusion
Education Law
Employment and Labour Law
Energy
Environmental
Family Law
Health Law
Healthcare
Intellectual Property and Technology
Manufacturing and Supply Chain
Municipal Law
Municipalities and Public Entities
Personal Injury
Privacy and Cybersecurity
Professional Regulation and Liability
Real Estate
Residential Real Estate
Sexual Assault and Abuse
Specialty Risk and Insurance
Technology and Startups
Transportation
Wills and Estates
London
Toronto
Kitchener–Waterloo
Strathroy
Administrative and Public Law
Agriculture
Appeals
Arbitration and Mediation
Articling
Banking and Financial Services
Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Insolvency
Business Law
Charity and Nonprofits
Civil Rules Review
Class Actions
Commercial Litigation
Commercial Real Estate and Land Development
Construction and Land Development
Construction Law
Diversity & Inclusion
Education Law
Employment and Labour Law
Energy
Environmental
Family Law
Health Law
Healthcare
Intellectual Property and Technology
Manufacturing and Supply Chain
Municipal Law
Municipalities and Public Entities
Personal Injury
Privacy and Cybersecurity
Professional Regulation and Liability
Real Estate
Residential Real Estate
Sexual Assault and Abuse
Specialty Risk and Insurance
Technology and Startups
Transportation
Wills and Estates
London
Toronto
Kitchener–Waterloo
Strathroy
Administrative and Public Law
Agriculture
Appeals
Arbitration and Mediation
Articling
Banking and Financial Services
Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Insolvency
Business Law
Charity and Nonprofits
Civil Rules Review
Class Actions
Commercial Litigation
Commercial Real Estate and Land Development
Construction and Land Development
Construction Law
Diversity & Inclusion
Education Law
Employment and Labour Law
Energy
Environmental
Family Law
Health Law
Healthcare
Intellectual Property and Technology
Manufacturing and Supply Chain
Municipal Law
Municipalities and Public Entities
Personal Injury
Privacy and Cybersecurity
Professional Regulation and Liability
Real Estate
Residential Real Estate
Sexual Assault and Abuse
Specialty Risk and Insurance
Technology and Startups
Transportation
Wills and Estates
London
Toronto
Kitchener–Waterloo
Strathroy
Administrative and Public Law
Agriculture
Appeals
Arbitration and Mediation
Articling
Banking and Financial Services
Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Insolvency
Business Law
Charity and Nonprofits
Civil Rules Review
Class Actions
Commercial Litigation
Commercial Real Estate and Land Development
Construction and Land Development
Construction Law
Diversity & Inclusion
Education Law
Employment and Labour Law
Energy
Environmental
Family Law
Health Law
Healthcare
Intellectual Property and Technology
Manufacturing and Supply Chain
Municipal Law
Municipalities and Public Entities
Personal Injury
Privacy and Cybersecurity
Professional Regulation and Liability
Real Estate
Residential Real Estate
Sexual Assault and Abuse
Specialty Risk and Insurance
Technology and Startups
Transportation
Wills and Estates
Frequently Asked Questions
The CRR is a comprehensive review of Ontario’s Rules of Civil Procedure. It was launched in January 2024 to modernize and streamline the civil justice system, making it more efficient, accessible, and responsive to the needs of Ontarians.
The CRR is a comprehensive review of Ontario’s Rules of Civil Procedure. It was launched in January 2024 to modernize and streamline the civil justice system, making it more efficient, accessible, and responsive to the needs of Ontarians.
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