Filing a Simplified Action in the Federal Court of Canada Without a Lawyer
The paper, paragraph and language rules for a self-prepared simplified action in the Federal Court, and the parts the registry checks first.
Federal Court jurisdiction
How it works
- Write the style of cause: the Federal Court, the court file number if one has been assigned, and the plaintiff and defendant with their addresses for service.
- Set the page: Letter paper, 1 inch margins, 12 point type, double spaced, printed on one side, with numbered paragraphs.
- Set out the facts in date order, one event per numbered paragraph, and state the amount and how it is calculated.
- Choose English or French for the proceeding; both are official languages of the Federal Court under the Official Languages Act, and the registry translates procedural documents.
- Sign the document by hand, then serve a copy on each party and file an affidavit of service where you carried out service yourself.
Next
Can I file a simplified action in English or in French?
Either. Under section 14 of the Official Languages Act, English and French are both official languages of the Federal Court and any person may use either in any pleading or proceeding. The registry translates procedural documents as required by sections 15 and 16.
How large can a Federal Court simplified action be?
The simplified action procedure is available where the amount claimed is 100,000 dollars or less, exclusive of interest and costs. Confirm the current figure in the Federal Courts Rules before filing.
Do I need to serve the other side myself?
Where the document is not sent out by the registry, you serve it and file an affidavit of service showing the date and the manner of service.
Format requirements for this court
| Documents filed in the Federal Court are on Letter paper, 8.5 by 11 inches. | Federal Courts Rules, SOR/98-106, rule 27 (form of documents: paper, margins, spacing) |
| Margins of 1 inch are left on all four sides of the page. | Federal Courts Rules, SOR/98-106, rule 27 (form of documents: paper, margins, spacing) |
| Paragraphs in a pleading are numbered consecutively from 1. | Federal Courts Rules, SOR/98-106, rule 27 (form of documents: paper, margins, spacing) |
| Every document filed must be signed by the party or by the party's solicitor of record. | Federal Courts Rules, SOR/98-106, rule 27 (form of documents: paper, margins, spacing) |
| English and French are both official languages of the Federal Courts, and any person may use either in any pleading or proceeding. | Official Languages Act, section 14 (official languages of the federal courts), read with sections 15 and 16 |
| The original is filed with the registry and a copy is served on each other party. | Federal Courts Rules, SOR/98-106 (general rules of practice and procedure) |
| The simplified action procedure is available where the amount claimed is 100,000 dollars or less, exclusive of interest and costs. | Federal Courts Rules, SOR/98-106, rules 292 to 299 (simplified action) |
Every format rule is listed with its source so you can check it yourself.
Every format rule is listed with its source so you can check it yourself.
- Federal Courts Rules, SOR/98-106 (general rules of practice and procedure)
- Federal Courts Rules, SOR/98-106, rule 27 (form of documents: paper, margins, spacing)
- Federal Courts Rules, SOR/98-106, rules 292 to 299 (simplified action)
- Official Languages Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 31 (4th Supp.)
- Official Languages Act, section 14 (official languages of the federal courts), read with sections 15 and 16
- Federal Court of Canada - information for self-represented litigants and court forms