{"id":20,"date":"2013-06-25T20:11:28","date_gmt":"2013-06-25T20:11:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/davidfreedman\/?page_id=20"},"modified":"2026-08-24T12:45:47","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T12:45:47","slug":"civil-procedure","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/davidfreedman.ca\/?page_id=20","title":{"rendered":"Civil Procedure"},"content":{"rendered":"

COURSE DESCRIPTION<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

As you know, litigation<\/em> is a formal process leading to the determination of one or more issues in dispute by a court. The rules which govern the procedures to be followed are sometimes particular to one statute or type of proceeding, but in most private law proceedings it is the general model of procedural law which governs.<\/p>\n

The general model of procedural law arises from a combination of sources of law – statute, regulation, equity, and the common law. Our study of the rules of civil procedure will be in relation to Ontario\u2019s main trial court, the Superior Court of Justice<\/a>, and the rules which govern civil proceedings in that court. Please note that the model of procedural law is quite extensive, and we will not attempt anything like a comprehensive treatment. However, by the end of the course, you should know how to bring a simple matter to conclusion from the time the client steps in the door until the final appeal is determined.<\/p>\n

In addition to substantive doctrine, we will also consider how to practice law in this area competently. There are four reasons for inquiring into such matters. First, effective representation is essential to ensure access to justice which is an important issue of concern for all lawyers. Second, some of the doctrines that are part of procedural law have significance for all areas of practice; for example, the law of privilege. Third, there is self-interest; that is, avoiding claims for negligence and, in particular, failing to warn clients about expiry of their right to sue. Last, putting our studies in a practical context will assist you in dealing with the admission exams that you must pass in order to become licensed by the Law Society of Ontario.<\/p>\n

CLASSES<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n

Mondays & Wednesdays. 10:00-11:30am, Walter Light Hall<\/a>, Room 210<\/p>\n

Will lectures be recorded?<\/em><\/strong> No. If you become ill or experience some extenuating circumstance that prevents your attendance at class, a recorded lecture is a poor substitute for getting help from your instructor. Please contact me and I would be pleased to meet with you to discuss the materials.<\/p>\n

MATERIALS<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

There is no casebook to purchase. <\/strong><\/p>\n

On the final examination, I will assume that you have access to the materials assigned. The following statutes and regulations will be referred to commonly as we make our way through the materials:<\/p>\n

The Courts of Justice Act<\/a><\/p>\n

Rules of Civil Procedure<\/a><\/p>\n

The Limitations Act 2002<\/a><\/p>\n

Secondary Materials:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

If you wish<\/em>, you may purchase a textbook for reference, but you are not required<\/em> to do so.<\/p>\n

The best of the lot for our purposes is Morden & Perell, The Law of Civil Procedure in Ontario<\/em>, 5th<\/sup> Edition<\/a> ($170 to purchase the student edition; online for free<\/u> via Lexis Advance Quicklaw<\/a>).<\/p>\n

There are many other reference works available to you in the library and online<\/a> at no charge.<\/p>\n

How to approach the reading?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019m not particularly fond of the casebooks that are available (and they are very<\/em> expensive) and would prefer to assign case reports.<\/p>\n

Many of the cases assigned deal exclusively with a procedural point and are short; others are trial or appeal decisions that deal with many issues, only some of which are procedural. For those longer and more involved judgments, please just stick to the relevant procedural law (and usually the underlying facts are not all that important).<\/p>\n

In the lecture notes that I will post (either shortly before or after classes), I will often set out some of the relevant passages in a given case; that said, please don\u2019t rely on my lecture notes as a substitute for reading the assigned materials<\/em>.<\/p>\n

ASSESSMENT<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

100% three-hour open-book final examination.<\/p>\n

\n

TOPICS & READING LIST \u2013 FALL TERM 2026<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve set out class dates and materials to be covered but our actual progress may be different than anticipated.<\/p>\n

September 9, 2026<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

No reading. Overview of the course and group sadness at the end of summer.<\/p>\n

\n

September 14, 2026<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I.\u00a0 INTRODUCTION<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

What options exist to resolve private disputes?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cDispute Resolution Reference Guide\u201d<\/a> in Canada’s System of Justice<\/em> (Department of Justice, 2006)<\/p>\n

What are the Rules of Civil Procedure?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Rules 1.04(1), 1.04(1.1)<\/a><\/p>\n

What are \u201cproceedings\u201d under the Rules of Civil Procedure?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Rules 14.02<\/a>, 14.05<\/a><\/p>\n

Flowcharts summarizing the processes under the Rules of Civil Procedure<\/a><\/p>\n

What is the \u201cadversarial principle\u201d and what role do lawyers play in litigation?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Law Society of Upper Canada, Rules of Professional Conduct<\/a><\/p>\n

Law Society of Ontario v. McCallum, 2024 ONLSTH 29 (OLSTHD)<\/a><\/p>\n

If you’re interested… The Advocates\u2019 Society Principles of Civility and Professionalism for Advocates<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

\n

September 16, 2026<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Champerty, Maintenance, and Contingency Agreements<\/em>: McIntyre Estate v. Ontario (Attorney General), 2002 CanLII 45046 (Ont. S.C.J.)<\/a><\/p>\n

II. WHO PAYS FOR THE LITIGATION?<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

“The Costs Rules”<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Courts of Justice Act, Section 131<\/a><\/p>\n

Rules\u00a0 49<\/a>,<\/a> 57.01<\/a><\/p>\n

Law Society of Ontario Sample Long Form Litigation Cost Estimate<\/a> (for explaining anticipated litigation fees to clients in a given matter)<\/p>\n

Sample Costs Submissions & Bill of Costs<\/a><\/p>\n

Barl<\/a>o<\/a>w<\/a> v<\/a> Citadel<\/a> General<\/a> Assurance<\/a> C<\/a>o<\/a>.<\/a>, <\/a>2008 CanLII<\/a> 3215 (Ont. S.C.J.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Davies<\/a> v<\/a>.<\/a> Claringt<\/a>o<\/a>n<\/a> (Municipality<\/a>)<\/a>, <\/a>2009 ONCA 722<\/a> (Ont. C.A.)<\/a><\/p>\n

How to predict costs<\/a><\/p>\n

Costs and Partial Settlement<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

1086289 Ontario Inc. (Urban Electrical Contractors) v. Welland (City), 2026 ONCA 352 (Ont. C.A.)<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

September 21, 2026<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

No Class<\/p>\n

\n

September 23, 2026<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

III.\u00a0 PARTICIPATION IN THE LITIGATION<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Standing<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Carroll v. Toronto-Dominion Bank, 2021 ONCA 38 at paras. 30-43 (Ont. C.A.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Participation by a Party under a \u201cDisability\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 3.2-9<\/a><\/p>\n

Rules 1.03(1) (\u201cdisability\u201d)<\/a> and 7<\/a><\/p>\n

Gronnerud (Litigation Guardians of) v. Gronnerud Estate, 2002 SCC 38 (S.C.C.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Lochner v Callanan, 2016 ONSC 1705 (Ont. S.C.J.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Participation with Leave of the Court: Intervenors<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Rule 13<\/a><\/p>\n

Dosu v. Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, 2025 ONSC 6509 (Div. Ct.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Turlo et al. v. 2455655 Ontario Corporation, 2026 ONSC 1785 (Div. Ct.)<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

September 28, 2026<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

IV.\u00a0 LIMITATIONS<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Limitations Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 24<\/a><\/p>\n

M.(K.) v. M.(H.), [1992] 3 SCR 6 (S.C.C.)<\/a><\/p>\n

McConnell v. Huxtable, 2014 ONCA 86 (Ont. C.A.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Collins v. Cortez, 2014 ONCA 685 (Ont. C.A.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Brown v. Baum, 2016 ONCA 325 (Ont. C.A.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Haytham Elzayat v. Rogers Communication, 2026 ONCA 111 (Ont. C.A.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Lloyd v. Baker, 2026 ONCA 434 (Ont. C.A.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Paterson v. Royal Bank of Canada, 2026 ONCA 480 (Ont. C.A.)<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

September 30, 2026<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

V.\u00a0 JURISDICTION<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

CJA, Section 11(2)<\/a><\/p>\n

Club Resorts Ltd. v. Van Breda, 2012 SCC 17 (S.C.C.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Lapointe Rosenstein Marchand Melan\u00e7on LLP v. Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP, 2016 SCC 30 (S.C.C.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Vale Canada Limited v. Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada, 2022 ONCA 862 (Ont. C.A.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Kalra v. Bhatia, 2024 ONSC 3565 (S.C.J.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Hilmer Motorsport GmbH v. Mason, 2025 ONCA 875 (Ont. C.A.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Kininsberg v. Meerapfel, 2026 ONCA 373 (Ont. C.A.)<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

October 5, 2026<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

VI.\u00a0 RES JUDICATA<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Danyluk<\/a> v<\/a>.<\/a> Ainsw<\/a>o<\/a>rth<\/a> Techn<\/a>o<\/a>l<\/a>o<\/a>gies<\/a> Inc<\/a>., <\/a>2001 SCC 44 (S.C.C.)<\/a><\/p>\n

T<\/a>o<\/a>r<\/a>o<\/a>nt<\/a>o (<\/a>City<\/a>) <\/a>v<\/a>.<\/a> C<\/a>.<\/a>U<\/a>.<\/a>P<\/a>.<\/a>E<\/a>.,<\/a> Local 79, <\/a>2003 SCC 63<\/a> (S.C.C.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Penner v. Niagara (Regional Police Services Board), 2013 SCC 19 (S.C.C.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Malamas v. Wey, 2026 ONCA 133 (Ont. C.A.)<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

October 7, 2026<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Problem Questions<\/p>\n

\n

October 12, 2026<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

No Class<\/p>\n

\n

October 14 & 21, 2026<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

There is no class on October 19, 2026<\/em><\/strong><\/span>.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

VII.\u00a0 PLEADINGS<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Terminology<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

See Rules 25-29<\/a><\/p>\n

Proceeding<\/em><\/p>\n

Originating Process<\/em><\/p>\n

Action<\/em><\/p>\n

Application<\/em><\/p>\n

Claim<\/em><\/p>\n

Counterclaim<\/em><\/p>\n

Crossclaim<\/em><\/p>\n

Third Party Claim<\/em><\/p>\n

Defence<\/em><\/p>\n

Reply<\/em><\/p>\n

Issued<\/em><\/p>\n

Served<\/em><\/p>\n

Filed<\/em><\/p>\n

Deliver<\/em><\/p>\n

Rule 25 Concepts: Material Facts and Particulars<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Rule 25<\/a><\/p>\n

C<\/a>o<\/a>pland<\/a> v<\/a>.<\/a> C<\/a>o<\/a>mm<\/a>o<\/a>d<\/a>o<\/a>re<\/a> Business<\/a> Machines<\/a> Ltd<\/a>.<\/a>, <\/a>1985<\/a> CanLII 2190 (Ont. S.C.J.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Substantive Inadequacy<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Rule 21<\/a>,<\/a> 25.11<\/a><\/p>\n

Hunt v. Carey Canada Inc., [1990] 2 SCR 959 (S.C.C.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Holland v. Saskatchewan (Minister of Agriculture, Food & Rural Revitalization), 2008 SCC 42 (S.C.C.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Amending the Pleadings<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Rule 26<\/a><\/p>\n

Miguna v<\/a>.<\/a> Ontari<\/a>o <\/a>(Att<\/a>o<\/a>rney<\/a> General<\/a>)<\/a>, <\/a>2005 CanLII<\/a> 46385 (Ont. C.A.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Stekel v. Toyota Canada Inc., 2011 ONSC 6507 (Ont. S.C.J.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Service and Computation of Time<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Rules 3<\/a>,<\/u> 16-18<\/a><\/p>\n

How to Draft Pleadings<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Discussion of approaches for those interested; non-examinable.<\/p>\n

\n

October 26, 2026<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

VII.\u00a0 DISCOVERY AND PRE-TRIAL EVIDENCE<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rules 29.1-35<\/a><\/p>\n

Privilege<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Airst v. Airst, 1998 CanLII 14647 (Ont. Sup. Ct.)<\/a><\/p>\n

General<\/a> Accident<\/a> Assurance<\/a> v<\/a>.<\/a> Chrusz<\/a>, <\/a>1999 CanLII 7320 (Ont. C.A.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Pritchard v. Ontario (Human Rights Commission), 2004 SCC 31 (S.C.C.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Blank v. Canada (Minister of Justice), 2006 SCC 39 (S.C.C.)<\/a><\/p>\n

White v. 123627 Canada Inc., 2014 ONSC 2682 (Ont. S.C.J.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Sakab Saudi Holding Company v. Al Jabri, 2026 ONCA 586 (Ont. C.A.)<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

October 28, 2026<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Documentary Discovery<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Warman v. Wilkins-Fournier, 2011 ONSC 3023 (Ont. S.C.J.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Frangione v. Vandongen, 2010 ONSC 2823 (Ont. S.C.J.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Examination for Discovery<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Ontario v. Rothmans Inc., 2011 ONSC 2504 (Ont. S.C.J.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Noble v. York University Foundation, 2010 ONSC 399<\/a><\/p>\n

Ornstein<\/a> (Litigati<\/a>o<\/a>n<\/a> Guardian<\/a> o<\/a>f<\/a>) <\/a>v<\/a>.<\/a> Starr<\/a>, <\/a>2011 ONSC<\/a> 4220<\/a><\/p>\n

Discovery of Non-Parties<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Ontario (Attorney General) v. Ballard Estate, 1995 CanLII 3509 (Ont. C.A.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Hopkins v. Robert Green Equipment Sales Ltd., 2018 ONSC 998 (Ont. S.C.J.)<\/a><\/p>\n

The \u201cDeemed Undertaking\u201d Rule<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Kitchenham v. AXA Ins. Canada, 2008 ONCA 877 (Ont. C.A.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Martin v Toronto Police Services Board, 2023 ONSC 6191 (S.C.J.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Medical Examination<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Courts of Justice Act, Section 105(2)<\/a><\/p>\n

Lovegrove v Rosenthal (1997), 16 C.P.C. (4th) 160; [1997] O.J. No. 5408 (Ont. Gen. Div.)<\/a><\/p>\n

How to Prepare For, and Conduct, an Examination for Discovery<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Discussion of approaches for those interested; non-examinable.<\/p>\n

\n

November 2 & 4, 2026<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

No Classes. Reading Week.<\/p>\n

\n

November 9, 2026<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

VIII.\u00a0 MOTIONS AND INJUNCTIONS<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Simple Motions<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Rules 37<\/a> and 39<\/a><\/p>\n

Joinder and Consolidation<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

1014864<\/a> Ontari<\/a>o <\/a>Ltd<\/a>.<\/a> v<\/a>.<\/a> 1721789<\/a> Ontari<\/a>o <\/a>Inc<\/a>.<\/a>, 2010 ONSC 3306 (Ont. S.C.J.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Tanner v. McIlveen Estate, 2012 ONSC 2983 (Ont. S.C.J.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Buhlman<\/a> v<\/a>.<\/a> Pe<\/a>o<\/a>ples<\/a> Ministries<\/a> Inc<\/a>.,<\/a> 2009 CanLII 26918 (Ont. S.C.J.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Soilmec North America Inc. v. D\u2019Elia, 2011 ONSC 5214 (Ont. S.C.J.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Determining a Point of Law<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Gowling Lafleur Henderson v. Springer, 2013 ONSC 923 (Ont. S.C.J.)<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

November 11, 2026<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Interlocutory Injunctive Relief<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Rule 40<\/a><\/p>\n

RJR MacDonald Inc. v. Canada (Attorney General), 1994\u00a0CanLII\u00a0117\u00a0(S.C.C.)<\/a><\/p>\n

(a) Anton Piller<\/em> Orders\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Celanese Canada Inc. v. Murray Demolition Corp., 2006 SCC 36 (S.C.C.)<\/a><\/p>\n

(b) Mareva<\/em> Injunctions<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chitel v. Rothbart, 1982 CanLII 1956 (Ont. C.A.)<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

November 16, 2026<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

IX.\u00a0 DISPOSITION WITHOUT TRIAL<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Vexatious Litigants<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Rule 2.1.01<\/a><\/p>\n

Default Judgment<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Rule 19<\/a><\/p>\n

Anti-SLAPP<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

CJA, s. 137.1<\/a><\/p>\n

40 Days for Life v. Dietrich, 2024 ONCA 599 (Ont. C.A.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Summary Judgment<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Rule 20<\/a><\/p>\n

Hryniak<\/a> v<\/a>.<\/a> Mauldin<\/a>, 2014 SCC 7 (S.C.C.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Maurice v. Alles, 2016 ONCA 287 (Ont. C.A.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Butera v. Chown, Cairns LLP,\u00a0 2017 ONCA 783 (Ont. C.A.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Moffitt v. TD Canada Trust,\u00a0 2023 ONCA 349 (Ont. C.A.)<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

November 18, 2026<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

X.\u00a0 APPEAL<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

CJA, Sections\u00a0132-134<\/a><\/p>\n

Housen v. Nikolaisen, 2002 SCC 33 (S.C.C.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Capital Gains Income Streams Corporation v. Merrill Lynch Canada Inc., 2007 ONCA 497 (Ont. C.A.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Lazare v. Harvey, 2008 ONCA 171 (Ont. C.A.)<\/a><\/p>\n

Gligorevic v. McMaster, 2012 ONCA 115 (Ont. C.A.)<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

I have left some classes clear in case of illness. Ideally we will have a review and finish early given the compressed time between the end of lectures and examinations.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

COURSE DESCRIPTION As you know, litigation is a formal process leading to the determination of one or more issues in…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":174,"parent":0,"menu_order":4,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-20","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/davidfreedman.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/20","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/davidfreedman.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/davidfreedman.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/davidfreedman.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/davidfreedman.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=20"}],"version-history":[{"count":595,"href":"https:\/\/davidfreedman.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/20\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4297,"href":"https:\/\/davidfreedman.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/20\/revisions\/4297"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/davidfreedman.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/174"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/davidfreedman.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=20"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}