Summary
In April 2025, the Civil Rules Review Working Group released the Phase 2 Consultation Report (the “Report”), proposing significant changes to Ontario’s existing procedures with a view to making court proceedings more efficient and affordable. The proposed changes are still under consultation and further refinements can be expected.
The goal of the reforms is to expedite litigation and ultimately bring cases to judgment within two years. To facilitate this, key changes include narrowing oral examinations for discovery, reforming service, and overhauling the interlocutory motions process.
Below is a summary of several key proposed changes in the Report,1 along with a few additional proposed changes we have learned since its release.2 Given the iterative nature of this process, these may be subject to change.