Canadian IP Courts Respond To COVID-19 Concerns By Limiting Hearings

As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, courts across Canada are drastically reducing their operations. Gowling WLG's national IP Litigation team is committed and technologically equipped to quickly adapt to these rapid and significant changes. We are closely monitoring all announcements by the courts across the country, in particular, the Federal Court, where most IP matters are heard. If you have a matter before the Federal Court, these are the important points to know:

• The Federal Court has effectively closed for one month (i.e., until April 17, 2020) with no hearings to be conducted, except in cases of exceptional or urgent matters.
• The running of all timelines under Orders and Directions of the Court made prior to March 18, 2020, as well as under the Federal Courts Rules, and subsection 18.1(2) of the Federal Courts Act are suspended for the period of March 17 through to April 17. All other statutory deadlines continue to apply.