Ontario’s new rules of civil procedure address electronic discovery

by Ed Valio on February 12, 2010

in All

From Electronic Discovery Law:

As of January 1, 2010, Ontario’s new Rules of Civil Procedure became effective, including significant changes to the rules of discovery.  Among the changes/additions is Rule 29.1.03(4) Principles re Electronic Discovery, which states that “In preparing the discovery plan,” as is required by Rule 29.1.03 (1), “the parties shall consult and have regard to the document titled ‘The Sedona Canada Principles Addressing Electronic Discovery’ developed and available from The Sedona Conference.”  In its explanation of the provisions of the newly effective Rules of Civil Procedure, the Ministry of the Attorney General specifically identified several of the Sedona Principles to be considered:

• Discovery steps should be proportionate.  Parties should consider the nature of litigation; relevance of electronic evidence; importance to adjudication; and the cost and delay that may be imposed to deal with electronic documents.
• Parties should meet and confer as soon as possible regarding identification, preservation, collection and production of electronic documents.
• Parties should be prepared to disclose all relevant electronic documents.
• Parties should agree as early as possible on the format in which electronic information will be produced.

Electronic Discovery Law – Ontario’s new rules of civil procedure address electronic discovery