SNF News

The Civil Rules Review Releases Phase 2 Consultation Paper

The Civil Rules Review was launched by Attorney General Doug Downey and Superior Court Chief Justice Geoffrey B. Morawetz with a mandate to identify issues and develop proposals for reforming the Rules of Civil Procedure to make civil court proceedings more efficient, affordable, and accessible. As the Chief Justice made clear in his remarks at the Opening of the Courts Ceremony, the objective is not just to tinker with the Rules, it is wholesale reform.

On April 1, 2025, the CRR released its Phase 2 Consultation Paper, which provides a comprehensive overview of the reforms the CRR is proposing. The Phase 2 Consultation Report can be found here: https://www.ontariocourts.ca/scj/files/pubs/Civil-Rules-Review-2025-phase-two-EN.pdf

The co-chairs of the CRR, Justice Cary Boswell and SNF partner, Allison Speigel, will be discussing the proposed reforms at two up-coming virtual events put on by the Advocates’ Society and Toronto Lawyers’ Association:

• https://advocates.ca/TAS/Events/Showcase_Pages/Overhauling_Ontarios_Civil_Rules_Proposed_Changes.aspx?EventKey=ONRULES25&utm_source=TAS&utm_campaign=a4d4baf156-ed-rules-april-2-25&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-a4d4baf156-443965443
• https://www.tlaonline.ca/?pg=events&evAction=showDetail&eid=300877

Krystyne Rusek’s Appointment by the Executive of the Trusts and Estates Section of the OBA

Krystyne Rusek has been appointed by the Executive of the Trusts and Estates Section of the OBA to act as the liaison for the OBA’s Civil Rules Review Taskforce.  The Taskforce will be making submissions to the Civil Rules Review Group, co-Chaired by Allison Speigel and the Honourable Justice Cary Boswell, and participating in consultations regarding a proposed overhaul of the Rules of Civil Procedure.

The Opening of the Courts: Chief Justice Morawetz’s Speech

On September 23, 2024, Chief Justice Morawetz gave a speech at the annual Opening of the Courts, in which he provided an update on the work of the Civil Rules Review, which our own Allison Speigel is co-chairing along with Justice Cary Boswell.

His remarks concerning the work of the Civil Rules Review were as follows:

“One significant measure towards addressing our Court’s backlog and the culture of complacency in the area of Civil, is a commitment to a complete reform of the Civil Rules of Procedure.  Rules that have not been updated for 40 years.

Last Fall, Attorney General Doug Downey and I announced a Civil Rules Review. We assembled a team dedicated to this work.  It is co-chaired by Justice Cary Boswell and Allison Speigel, and includes members of the judiciary, members of the private and public bar and expert legal academics.

The group launched phase one of their work in January.

From the outset, I hoped for bold and inspired thinking.

Krystyne Rusek and Jennifer Lake co-author article, “Bifurcation in Estate Litigation”

Krystyne Rusek recently chaired Essential Updates on Court Processes for Estate Litigators, with fellow estate litigators, Matthew Rendely of Loopstra Nixon LLP and Priyanka Bahl of Elm Law.

Topics covered included bifurcation and new Rule 6.1.01 in estate proceedings, dismissal for delay in estate matters, and using Calendly on the Estates List and in other courts.

Krystyne’s paper on Bifurcation in Estate Litigation, co-authored with Jennifer Lake, covers the principles applied in ordering bifurcation, as well as case law under the new rule and possible application in estate matters.

Krystyne Rusek’s Appointment as Technology Liaison for the Trusts and Estate Law Section Executive of the OBA

Congratulations to our Krystyne Rusek for her appointment as the Technology Liaison for the Trusts and Estate Law Section Executive of the Ontario Bar Association (OBA). The OBA, a branch of the Canadian Bar Associations, represents close to 17,000 lawyers, judges, notaries, law teachers and law students from across the province, and the voice of Ontario’s legal profession. Krystyne’s dedication and expertise promise to enrich her practice, strengthen our firm, and enhance the service we provide to our clients while advancing the profession.

Krystyne Rusek Presents at Knowledge Hub 2024

On April 25, 2024, Krystyne Rusek, counsel with Speigel Nichols Fox LLP, presented at the Knowledge Hub 2024: Churches, Charities and Not-for-Profits.

Krystyne Rusek co-authors article, “You’re Going to Court In Person?!! An update on courtroom technology from your Section Technology Liaisons”

Krystyne Rusek, counsel with Speigel Nichols Fox LLP, and with the assistance of Matthew Bradley, co-authored the article, “You’re Going to Court In Person?!! An update on courtroom technology from your Section Technology Liaisons” for the Ontario Bar Association. The article explores the gradual return back to in-person hearings and how lawyers are expected to use technology, with pointers on how to avoid disruptions and pitfalls.

Krystyne Rusek moderates panel, “Will Validation, Substantial Compliance and Electronic Documents: Updates and Future Changes”

On February 8, 2024, Krystyne Rusek, counsel at Speigel Nichols Fox LLP, is moderating a panel for the Ontario Legal Conference: Family, Estates and Real Estate Law. Krystyne will moderate the panel on “Will Validation, Substantial Compliance and Electronic Documents: Updates and Future Changes” with Liza Saad, Tupman & Bloom LLP, and Demetre Vasilounis, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP. The panel will address how the law has developed since the Succession Law Reform Act was amended in January 2022 to permit judges to validate wills that are non-compliant with formal requirements under the Act.

Allison Speigel and Krystyne Rusek Serve on the OBA Executive

Speigel Nichols Fox LLP would like to congratulate Allison Speigel and Krystyne Rusek who will serve the Ontario Bar Association in various roles for the 2023-2024 year. Allison Speigel will act as the Public Affairs Liaison for the Civil Litigation Section Executive and Krystyne Rusek will act as the Technology Liaison for the Trusts and Estates Law Section Executive.

Their dedication and involvement ensure that our profession, clients, and the justice system will be better served. To learn more about the OBA please visit here: https://www.oba.org/Advocacy/About

Kim Ferreira and Dora Konomi Discuss ‘Following the File’ for the Peel Law Association

Kim Ferreira, a partner at SNF, and Dora Konomi, an associate at SNF, gave a presentation on file organization in the Civil Bar for the Peel Law Association’s Continuing Professional Development program. Kim and Dora highlighted how to prepare a file for filing, what goes on inside a filing office, and how to compose a file for CaseLines.