What is the function of the Civil Procedure Rules in Ontario?

The Civil Procedure Rules in Ontario serve as the framework that governs the process of civil litigation within the province. These rules are designed to ensure that civil cases are conducted fairly, efficiently, and justly, providing the necessary procedures for filing claims, serving documents, conducting discovery, and presenting evidence.

By having these rules in place, litigants and their legal representatives can navigate the complexities of the civil justice system, ensuring that all parties understand their rights and obligations during litigation. The rules help to standardize procedures, which can assist in reducing delays and improving access to justice.

In contrast, the other options pertain to different areas of law or legal structure: guidelines for criminal proceedings relate specifically to criminal law, the roles of legal professionals pertain to ethics and professional conduct, and the penal code is related to substantive criminal law, not civil procedure. Each of these areas has its own distinct set of rules and guidelines, separate from the Civil Procedure Rules that focus solely on civil matters.