The Federal Courts and the Canadian Intellectual Property Offices are closed on today, September 30th for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour the children who never returned home and survivors of residential schools.
Tag Archives: Federal Court
Appointments
Justice Nicholas McHaffie, a Judge of the Federal Court, was appointed a Judge of the Federal Court of Appeal. An appointment was also made today in Quebec. Continue reading Appointments
Patent Litigation
I discussed trends in Canadian patent litigation with Tim Wilbur for an article in Canadian Lawyer entitled “Patent litigation in Canada at record low despite capable courts“. I am quoted in the article on the Federal Court’s use of case management and assignment of early trial dates in patent litigation proceeding. The article also includes statistics from IPPractice.ca.
Federal Court
The Honourable Justice Diner has been appointed Chief Justice of the Federal Court. His appointment comes after Acting Chief Justice Honourable Martine St-Louis held the role since the Honourable Justice Paul Crampton retired in October 2025.
Summary Judgment/Trial
The Federal court has issued an updated practice notice addressing the procedures and substance of motions for summary judgments and summary trials, including early notice to the CMJ, suitable issues for determination, and resolution of scheduling and hearing issues. The guidance is found at paragraphs 48 to 57 of the consolidated Case and Trial Management Guidelines and is effective as of today.
Judges’ Dinner
The annual Federal Court Judges’ Dinner is always a highlight of the IP litigation calendar. I’m looking forward to reconnecting with friends and colleagues in Ottawa. Let me know if you will be attending as well.
Appointments
Giuseppina D’Agostino, Associate Vice President Research and Full Professor of Law at York University – Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, was appointed a Judge of the Federal Court. Appointments were also made today to the Ontario courts.
Appointments
François Joyal, Senior General Counsel at the Department of Justice Canada in Montréal, was appointed a Judge of the Federal Court. Appointments were also made today in Alberta and Ontario. Continue reading Appointments
E-Filing
Federal Courts Rules
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”. Continue reading Federal Courts Rules