The updated Rules of Civil Procedure in Ontario, effective June 16, 2025 through Ontario Regulation 50/25, introduce significant amendments by updating the procedures for settlement approvals in civil litigation. The amendments clarify the requirements for filing motion records, establish redaction and disclosure protocols, and introduce new provisions for partial settlement agreements and parties under disability.
Updates to the Rules include:
- A change in subrule 7.08(2.1) has removed the term “or judgment” and now requires that filings include a systematically arranged record with an index of the documents.
- Provisions now allow a litigation guardian to file a motion for settlement approval on behalf of a person under disability without notifying other parties, provided that any sensitive or privileged information is duly redacted before submission.
- The title of Rule 49 has been updated to emphasize settlement matters, and its definitions have been reworked to broaden its scope to cover motions, counterclaims, crossclaims, and additional party claims.
- Specific guidelines have been set for parties under disability, mandating that any acceptance of a settlement offer by such a party must receive judicial approval.
- The rules governing partial settlement agreements (Rule 49.14) have been refined to clearly define what constitutes a partial settlement, require prompt disclosure and documentation of its terms using the designated form (Form 49E), and grant the court authority to impose sanctions for non-compliance.
Effective Date: June 16, 2025
Click here to read O. Reg. 50/25: Rules of Civil Procedure on e-Laws.
The above update is brought to you by the Practical Guidance Lawyer Team at Lexis+ Canada.
These updates highlight the critical need for staying current with legislative changes in Ontario's legal landscape. For legal professionals who want to stay ahead of the curve, having access to reliable, up-to-date resources is essential.
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Tracking Legislation on Lexis+ Canada
Practical Guidance
The Ontario Provincial and Regional Notice and Practice Directions Tracker on Practical Guidance tracks changes and updates at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice that are applicable to civil, Divisional Court, and Small Claims Court matters. TLA library staff monitor the practice note regularly and share relevant news with TLA members via the weekly TLA Update newsletter. Don't miss out – subscribe to the TLA Update to stay informed about changes that directly impact your practice.
The Practical Guidance team also offers Key Legal Development Trackers for various practice areas including Employment Law, Family Law, and Wills, Trusts & Estates Law. All trackers list legislative developments at the federal and provincial level while some also track notices to the profession and key case law. Contact the TLA library team for more information on individual trackers and take your practice to the next level.
Legislative Pulse
If you are keen to track a specific Act or Regulation, Legislative Pulse's searchable database is your solution. Explore the searchable database to quickly find information on current or historical Bills and Regulations across all the legislatures in Canada. Legislative Pulse allows users to track the progress of Bills, from First Reading to Royal Assent, as well as access concise information about any Bill or Regulation, including details on amended or new legislation being enacted, proclamations, and in force dates.
Keep an eye out for the TLA librarians' status update on select federal and provincial statutes and regulations in our Legislation Update. Find the latest edition in the TLA Update newsletter or follow our News & Knowledge blog.
With the powerful tools and resources available through Lexis+ Canada, you can proactively track legislative changes and ensure that you're always in the know. Don't let legislative updates catch you off guard – take advantage of these resources to stay ahead and elevate your practice.
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