The Federal Court has posted a FAQ on how it is handling the suspension of hearings and deadlines in view of its Practice Notice posted on March 17 (see earlier post). An amended Practice Notice is expected in the coming days. The FAQ addresses a number of issues including fixed dates: “Any specific date fixed by order or direction for completion of a step in a proceeding that is governed by the Practice Direction is extended for a period equivalent to the Suspension Period.” See the FAQ for more details.

In an announcement late Tuesday, the Federal Court announced that, “All Federal Court hearings previously scheduled to be heard between now and April 17, 2020 are being adjourned sine die” except for urgent or exceptional situations. In addition, “The running of all timelines under Orders and Directions of the Court made prior to March 18, 2020, as well as under the Federal Courts Rules, subsection 18.1(2) of the Federal Courts Act and paragraph 72(2)(c) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, is being suspended for the Suspension Period. All other statutory filing deadlines continue to apply. “