Federal Courts Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection Rules (SOR/93-22)

1 [Repealed, SOR/2002-232, s. 2]

Interpretation

2 The following definitions apply in these Rules.

Act

Act[Repealed, SOR/2015-20, s. 2]

appeal

appeal means an appeal referred to in section 10.7 or paragraph 22.2(d) of the Citizenship Act or paragraph 74(d) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. (appel)

application for judicial review

application for judicial review means an application referred to in section 22.2 of the Citizenship Act or section 74 of the Immigration and Refugee and Protection Act. (demande de contrôle judiciare)

application for leave

application for leave means an application referred to in section 22.1 of the Citizenship Act or section 72 of the Immigration and Refugee and Protection Act. (demande d’autorisation)

Court

Court means, as the circumstances require,

• (a) the Federal Court of Appeal, including, in respect of a motion, a single judge of that court; or

• (b) the Federal Court, including a prothonotary acting within his or her jurisdiction. (Cour)

Registry

Registry means a registry within the meaning of the Federal Courts Act. (greffe)

tribunal

tribunal means a person or body who has disposed of a matter, referred to in subsection 22.1(1) of the Citizenship Act or subsection 72(1) of the Immigration and Refugee and Protection Act, that is the subject of an application for leave or an application for judicial review. (tribunal administratif)

written reasons

written reasons includes a transcript of reasons given orally. (motifs écrits)

Application

3 These Rules apply to the following applications and appeals under the Citizenship Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act:

• (a) applications for leave;

• (b) applications for judicial review; and

• (c) appeals to the Federal Court of Appeal from judgments of the Federal Court.

• 4 (1) Except to the extent that they are inconsistent with the Citizenship Act or the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, as the case may be, or these Rules, Parts 1 to 3, 5.1, 6, 7, 10 and 11 and rules 302 and 383 to 385 of the Federal Courts Rules apply to applications for leave, applications for judicial review and appeals.

• (2) Rule 133 of the Federal Courts Rules does not apply to the service of an application for leave or an application for judicial review.

Deemed Receipt of Documents

• 4.1 (1) A document that is required to be sent under these Rules is deemed to be received by the recipient

  • (a) if it is sent by ordinary mail, on the tenth day after the day on which it is mailed;

  • (b) if it is sent by registered mail or courier, on the day of delivery that is indicated on the post office or courier delivery receipt, as the case may be; or

  • (c) if it is sent by electronic transmission or fax, on the day on which it is sent, as indicated on the electronic transmission or the fax transmission slip, as the case may be.

• (2) However, if the day on which the document is deemed to be received is a holiday or, in the case of a document that is sent by electronic transmission or fax, the document is sent after 5 p.m. at the recipient’s local time, the document is deemed to be received on the next day that is not a holiday.

Form of Application for Leave

• 5 (1) An application for leave shall be in accordance with Form IR-1 as set out in the schedule and shall set out

  • (a) the full names of the parties;

  • (b) the date and the details of the matter — the decision, determination or order made, measure taken or question raised — in respect of which relief is sought and the date on which the applicant was notified of or otherwise became aware of the matter;

  • (c) the name of the tribunal and, if the tribunal was composed of more than one person, the name of each person who was on the tribunal;

  • (d) the tribunal’s file number, if any;

  • (e) the precise relief to be sought on the application for judicial review;

  • (f) the grounds on which the relief is sought, including a reference to any statutory provision or Rule to be relied on;

  • (g) the proposed place and language of the hearing of the application for judicial review;

  • (h) whether or not the applicant has received the written reasons of the tribunal;

  • (i) if the applicant consents to the electronic service of documents, the applicant’s electronic address as set out in Form 141A of the Federal Courts Rules;

  • (j) the name, address and telephone number of any person who, for a fee or other consideration, prepared the application for leave; and

  • (k) the signature, name, address and telephone number of the applicant’s solicitor or, if the applicant acts in person, his or her signature, name, address for service in Canada and telephone number.

• (2) Unless he or she is the applicant, the respondent to an application for leave is

  • (a) in the case of a matter under the Citizenship Act, the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration; and

  • (b) in the case of a matter under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, each Minister who is responsible for the administration of that Act in respect of the matter for which leave is sought.

Extension of Time to File and Serve Application for Leave

• 6 (1) A request to extend the time for filing and serving an application for leave shall be made in the application for leave.

• (2) A request for an extension of time shall be determined at the same time, and on the same materials, as the application for leave.

Filing and Service of Application for Leave

• 7 (1) Service of an application for leave is effected by serving a certified copy of the application on each respondent.

• (2) Proof of service of an application on the other parties shall be filed within 10 days after the application is served.

Notice of Appearance

• 8 (1) A respondent who is served with an application for leave shall serve a notice of appearance in accordance with Form IR-2 as set out in the schedule on the applicant and the tribunal, and file it, together with proof of service, within 10 days after service of the application for leave.

• (2) A respondent who has failed to file a notice of appearance in accordance with subrule (1) shall not be entitled to any further notice or service of any further document in the proceeding.

Anonymity Order

• 8.1 (1) A party to an application for leave may make a written request, in Form IR-5 as set out in the schedule, that the court make an order that all documents that are prepared by the Court and that may be made available to the public be amended and redacted to the extent necessary to make the party’s identity anonymous.

• (2) A party who opposes the request may, in that Form IR-5, make a written objection to the request.

• (3) A request or an objection to a request, as the case may be, shall be served and filed and set out the grounds for the request or objection.

• (4) A request shall be determined at the same time, and on the basis of the same materials, as the application for leave.

• (5) The Court may make an order under subrule (1) if, after taking the public interest in open and accessible court proceedings into account, the Court is satisfied that the party’s identity should be made anonymous.

• (6) An order under this rule continues in effect until the Court orders otherwise, including for the duration of any appeal of the proceeding and after final judgment.

Obtaining Tribunal’s Decision and Reasons

• 9 (1) If an application for leave sets out that the applicant has not received the written reasons of the tribunal, the Registry shall, without delay, send the tribunal a request in Form IR-3 as set out in the schedule.

• (2) After receiving the request the tribunal shall, without delay,

  • (a) send a copy of the decision or order at issue and the written reasons for it, duly certified by an appropriate officer to be correct, to each of the parties, and two copies to the Registry; or

  • (b) send a written notice to each of the parties and to the Registry indicating that no reasons were given or reasons were given but not recorded, as the case may be.

Perfecting Application for Leave

• 10 (1) The applicant shall perfect an application for leave by complying with subrule (2)

  • (a) where the application sets out that the applicant has received the tribunal’s written reasons, within 30 days after filing the application; or

  • (b) where the application sets out that the applicant has not received the tribunal’s written reasons, within 30 days after receiving either the written reasons, or the notice under paragraph 9(2)(b), as the case may be.

• (2) The applicant shall

  • (a) serve on every respondent who has filed and served a notice of appearance, a record containing the following, on consecutively numbered pages, and in the following order:

    • (i) the application for leave,

    • (ii) the decision or order, if any, in respect of which the application is made,

    • (iii) the written reasons given by the tribunal, or the notice under paragraph 9(2)(b), as the case may be,

    • (iv) the request, if any, for an anonymity order under rule 8.1,

    • (v) one or more supporting affidavits that verify the facts relied on by the applicant in support of the application or a request for an anonymity order under rule 8.1, if any,

    • (vi) a memorandum of argument that contains concise submissions of the facts and law relied upon by the applicant for the relief proposed in the event that leave is granted, and

    • (vii) a statement indicating whether the hearing will be in English or French, or partly in English and partly in French, and whether the materials for the hearing will be in English and French, or partly in English and partly in French; and

  • (b) file the record, together with proof of service.

Respondent’s Affidavits and Memorandum of Argument

11 A respondent who opposes an application for leave

• (a) may serve on the other parties one or more affidavits, and

• (b) shall serve on the other parties a memorandum of argument that shall set out concise submissions of the facts and law relied upon by the respondent,

and file them, together with proof of service, within 30 days after service of the documents referred to in subrule 10(2).

Affidavits

• 12 (1) Affidavits filed in connection with an application for leave shall be confined to such evidence as the deponent could give if testifying as a witness before the Court.

• (2) Unless a judge for special reasons so orders, no cross-examination of a deponent on an affidavit filed in connection with an application is permitted before leave to commence an application for judicial review is granted.

Reply Memorandum

13 Where a respondent serves a memorandum of argument, an applicant may serve a memorandum of argument in reply thereto, and shall file it, together with proof of service, within 10 days after the day of service of the respondent’s memorandum of argument.

Disposition of Application for Leave

• 14 (1) Where

  • (a) any party has failed to serve and file any document required by these Rules within the time fixed, or

  • (b) the applicant’s reply memorandum has been filed, or the time for filing it has expired,

  a judge may, without further notice to the parties, determine the application for leave on the basis of the materials then filed.

• (2) Where the judge considers that documents in the possession or control of the tribunal are required for the proper disposition of the application for leave, the judge may, by order, specify the documents to be produced and filed and give such other directions as the judge considers necessary to dispose of the application for leave.

• (3) The Registry shall, without delay after an order is made under subrule (2), send a copy of the order to the tribunal.

• (4) Upon receipt of an order under subrule (2), the tribunal shall, without delay, send a copy of the materials specified in the order, duly certified by an appropriate officer to be correct, to each of the parties, and two copies to the Registry.

• (5) [Repealed, SOR/2021-149, s. 8]

• 15 (1) An order granting an application for leave

  • (a) shall specify the language and the day and place fixed for the hearing of the application for judicial review;

  • (b) shall specify the time limit within which the tribunal is to send copies of its record required under Rule 17;

  • (c) shall specify the time limits within which further materials, if any, including affidavits, transcripts of cross-examinations, and memoranda of argument are to be served and filed;

  • (d) shall specify the time limits within which cross-examinations, if any, on affidavits are to be completed; and

  • (e) may specify any other matter that the judge considers necessary or expedient for the hearing of the application for judicial review.

• (2) The Registry shall, without delay after an order is made under subrule (1), send a copy of the order to the tribunal.

• (3) [Repealed, SOR/2021-149, s. 9]

16 Where leave is granted, all documents filed in connection with the application for leave shall be retained by the Registry for consideration by the judge hearing the application for judicial review.

Obtaining Tribunal’s Record

17 Upon receipt of an order under Rule 15, a tribunal shall, without delay, prepare a record containing the following, on consecutively numbered pages and in the following order:

• (a) the decision or order in respect of which the application for judicial review is made and the written reasons given therefor,

• (b) all relevant documents that are in the possession or control of the tribunal,

• (c) any affidavits, or other documents filed during any such hearing, and

• (d) a transcript, if any, of any oral testimony given during the hearing, giving rise to the decision or order or other matter that is the subject of the application for judicial review,

and shall send a copy, duly certified by an appropriate officer to be correct, to each of the parties and two copies to the Registry.

Disposition of Application for Judicial Review

• 18 (1) Before a judge renders judgment in respect of an application for judicial review, the judge shall provide the parties with an opportunity to request that he or she certify that a serious question of general importance, referred to in paragraph 22.2(d) of the Citizenship Act or paragraph 74(d) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, as the case may be, is involved.

• (2) A party who requests that the judge certify that a serious question of general importance is involved shall specify the precise question.

• (3) [Repealed, SOR/2002-232, s. 9]

Appeals

19 [Repealed, SOR/98-235, s. 4]

• 20 (1) An appeal to the Federal Court of Appeal shall be commenced by filing a notice of appeal in Form IR-4 as set out in the schedule within

  • (a) 30 days after the pronouncement of the judgment under appeal; or

  • (b) such further time as may be ordered by a judge of the Federal Court.

• (2) A notice of appeal shall be served on all parties and proof of service filed within 15 days after the notice of appeal is filed.

Time Limits

• 21 (1) [Repealed, SOR/98-235, s. 5]

• (2) No time limit prescribed by these Rules may be varied except by order of a judge or prothonotary.

Costs

22 No costs shall be awarded to or payable by any party in respect of an application for leave, an application for judicial review or an appeal under these Rules unless the Court, for special reasons, so orders.

Fees

23 A fee of $50 shall be paid to the Registry in order to file an application for leave or a notice of appeal.

Coming into Force

Footnote ^*24 These Rules shall come into force on the day on which sections 73, 114, 115, 116, 117 and 118 of An Act to amend the Immigration Act and other Acts in consequence thereof, S.C. 1992, c. 49, come into force.

• Return to footnote ^*[Note: Rules in force February 1, 1993, see SI/93-16.]

SCHEDULE(Subrules 5(1), 8(1), 8.1(1), 9(1) and 20(1))

Form IR-1 (Rule 5)

Court File No.

FEDERAL COURT

Between:

(Insert, as applicable, the full name of party, the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration or each Minister responsible for the administration of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act in respect of the matter for which leave is sought.)

Applicant(s)

and

(Insert, as applicable, the full name of party, the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration or each Minister responsible for the administration of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act in respect of the matter for which leave is sought.)

Respondent(s)

Application for Leave and for Judicial Review

TO THE RESPONDENT(S)

AN APPLICATION FOR LEAVE TO COMMENCE AN APPLICATION FOR JUDICIAL REVIEW has been commenced by the applicant(s) under

(Select the provision under which this application is made.)

• [ ] SUBSECTION 22.1(1) OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT; or

• [ ] SUBSECTION 72(1) OF THE IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE PROTECTION ACT.

UNLESS A JUDGE OTHERWISE DIRECTS, THIS APPLICATION FOR LEAVE will be disposed of without personal appearance by the parties, in accordance with paragraph 22.1(2)(c) of the Citizenship Act or paragraph 72(2)(d) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, as the case may be.

IF YOU WISH TO OPPOSE THIS APPLICATION FOR LEAVE, you or a solicitor authorized to practise in Canada and acting for you must prepare a Notice of Appearance in Form IR-2 prescribed by the Federal Courts Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection Rules, serve it on the tribunal and each applicant’s solicitor or, in the case where an applicant does not have a solicitor, serve it on the applicant, and file it, with proof after service, in the Registry, within 10 days after the day on which this application for leave is served.

IF YOU FAIL TO DO SO, the Court may dispose of this application for leave and, if the leave is granted, of the subsequent application for judicial review without further notice to you.

• Note: 

  Copies of the relevant Rules of Court, information on the local office of the Court and other necessary information may be obtained from any local office of the Federal Court or the Registry in Ottawa (telephone: 613-992-4238).

The applicant seeks leave of the Court to commence an application for judicial review of:

(Set out the date and details of the matter — the decision or order made, measure taken or question raised — in respect of which a judicial review is sought and the date on which the applicant was notified or otherwise became aware of the matter.)

(Set out the name, address and telephone number of the tribunal and, if the tribunal was composed of more than one person, the name of each person who was on the tribunal.)

(Set out the tribunal’s file number(s), if applicable.)

(Add the following paragraph, if applicable.)

[The applicant also applies to the Court for an extension of time to file and serve the application under paragraph 22.1(2)(b) of the Citizenship Act or under paragraph 72(2)(c) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, as the case may be, for the following special reasons:

(Set out the special reasons for the request for the extension of time.)]

The application for leave was prepared by:

(As applicable, set out the name of the solicitor or party signed below or the name, address and telephone number of any other person who, for a fee or other consideration, prepared the application for leave.)

The applicant’s electronic address for the service of documents is: (Set out the electronic address for the service of documents specified in Form 141A of the Federal Court Rules, if any.)

If the application for leave is granted, the applicant seeks the following relief by way of a judicial review:

(Set out the precise relief sought should leave be granted, including any statutory provision or rule relied on.)

If the application for leave is granted, the application for judicial review is to be based on the following grounds:

(Set out the grounds to be argued, including a reference to any statutory provision or rule to be relied on.)

The applicant (has or has not) received written reasons from the tribunal.

If the application for leave is granted, the applicant proposes that the application for judicial review be heard at (place), in the (English and/or French) language.

(Signature of solicitor or applicant)

(Name, address and telephone number of solicitor or applicant)

To: (Name(s) and address(es) of respondent(s))

Form IR-2 (Rule 8)

Registry No.

FEDERAL COURT

Between:

Applicant(s)

and

Respondent(s)

Notice of Appearance

THE RESPONDENT(S) (name(s)) intend(s) to respond to this application for leave.

The tribunal’s file number(s), as set out in the application for leave is (are)

(Date)

(Name, address and telephone number of respondent’s solicitor, or respondent if acting in person)

• TO: 

  (Name and address of applicant’s solicitor, or applicant if acting in person)
• AND TO: 

  (Name and address of tribunal)

Form IR-3 (Subrule 9(1))

Court File No.

FEDERAL COURT

Between:

Applicant(s)

and

Respondent(s)

Request to Tribunal

• TO: 

  (Name and address of tribunal)
• RE: 

  (Set out the complete particulars of the matter — decision or order made, measure taken or question raised — as they appear in the application, with the tribunal’s file number(s), if any.)

DATE:

In an application filed on , 20 , the applicant set out that he or she had not received written reasons for the above-captioned matter.

In accordance with rule 9 of the Federal Courts Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection Rules, you are requested to send, without delay,

• (a) a copy of the decision or order at issue and the written reasons for it, duly certified by an appropriate officer to be correct, to each of the parties and two copies to the Registry; or

• (b) a written notice to each of the parties and to the Registry indicating that no reasons were given or reasons were given but not recorded, as the case may be.

(Signature of Registry Officer)

Name of Registry Officer

Telephone Number

Form IR-4 (Subrule 20(1))

Court File No.

FEDERAL COURT OF APPEAL

Between:

Appellant

(Applicant (or Respondent) in the Federal Court)

and

(name)

Respondent

(Applicant (or Respondent) in the Federal Court)

Notice of Appeal

THE APPELLANT (name) appeals from the judgment of the Honourable (name of judge) of the Federal Court, delivered on (date).

The following serious question(s) of general importance was (were) certified:

(Set out the question(s) certified.)

The question(s) was (were) certified under:

(Select the appropriate provision.)

• [ ] SECTION 10.7 OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT;

• [ ] PARAGRAPH 22.2(d) OF THE CITIZENSHIP ACT; or

• [ ] PARAGRAPH 74(d) OF THE IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE PROTECTION ACT.

The appellant seeks the following relief on the determination of the question(s) under section 52 of the Federal Courts Act:

(Set out the relief sought, with reference to the specific provisions in section 52 of the Federal Courts Act relied on.)

The appellant requests that this appeal be heard at (place), in the (English and/or French) language.

Dated at , this of , 20 .

(Name, address and telephone number of appellant’s solicitor)

• TO: 

  (Name and address of respondent’s solicitor, or respondent if acting in person)

Form IR-5 (Subrules 8.1(1) and (2))

Court File No.

FEDERAL COURT

Between:

Applicant(s)

and

Respondent(s)

Anonymity Order Notice

The (identify party)

• [ ] requests that the Court make an order that all documents that are prepared by the Court and which may be made available to the public be amended and redacted to the extent necessary to make the identity of (insert name) anonymous;

• [ ] objects to the request for an anonymity order made by (identify party) on (date).

The grounds for the (request or objection) are the following: (Set out grounds)

Dated at , this of , 20 .

(Name, address and telephone number of party, if acting in person, or the party’s solicitor)

• SOR/98-235, ss. 6, 7(F), 8(F)
• SOR/2002-232, ss. 12, 13, 15
• SOR/2005-339, s. 6
• SOR/2015-20, s. 10
• SOR/2021-149, s. 11
• SOR/2021-149, s. 12
• SOR/2021-149, s. 13