Introduction
Ontario's Rules of Civil Procedure Reform Proposal
reshapes the road to trial. The focus is simple: settle earlier
where appropriate, manage trials tightly when settlement
isn't possible, and reduce delay and cost throughout. The
reforms expand mandatory mediation beyond Toronto, Ottawa, and
Windsor, remove settlement bargaining from pre‑trials,
introduce binding judicial dispute resolution for suitable cases,
and replace traditional pre‑trials with targeted trial
management conferences. For practitioners, the signal is clear:
earlier case definition, disciplined timelines, and more efficient
hearings.
Pre‑Trial Procedures — Mandatory Mediation and
Changes to Pre‑Trial Conferences
