Amendments to the Federal Courts Rules, primarily to update the Tariff B regime for cost awards, are coming into force later this month. The amendments introduce a new Tariff B that has three columns, more litigation steps and more units. The Rules Committee estimates it will increase cost awards by about 25% “thereby aligning the tariff more closely with the amounts typically awarded under the ‘lump sum’ approach” and provide a “more consistent and predictable regime.” The changes also replace remaining references to “Prothonotary” with “Associate Judge”.

See published amendments in the Canada Gazette. The amendments will come into force December 21, 2025 and apply to cost awards made on or after that date.

These changes generally align with the version published for consultation in 2023 (see earlier post).