The “Regulation Respecting the Pilot Project for the Digital Transformation of the Administration of Justice” establishes a temporary initiative aimed at modernizing the judicial system through digital technology. This Pilot Project, authorized until November 28, 2025, is designed to improve efficiency and accessibility within the justice system across all judicial districts.

The Pilot Project introduces “Lexius,” a digital platform developed by the Minister of Justice for the electronic management of court records. This system facilitates the remote filing and consultation of documents, thereby streamlining court procedures. The successful implementation of this initiative is contingent upon the availability of the necessary technological infrastructure.

The Pilot Project encompasses several types of cases: Class Actions – Lawsuits in which one or more plaintiffs represent a larger group. Commercial Cases – Cases involving specific federal or provincial statutes related to business and financial matters. Commercial Nature Cases – Cases classified as commercial by the Chief Justice or a designated judge. Non-Contentious Proceedings – Includes matters such as medical consent for minors, probate of wills, changes to civil status, and other administrative judicial tasks.

Provisions for the Pilot Project include: All court documents, including pleadings and evidence, must be filed through Lexius. Until March 31, 2025, self-represented individuals may submit documents in hard copy. From April 1, 2025, hard copy submissions will be permitted only with a sworn attestation verifying the individual’s inability to use Lexius. Certain documents, such as wills and protection mandates, must also be physically filed within 15 days. Records for applicable cases will be maintained digitally. Access to these records is restricted to authorized individuals, including lawyers, represented parties, self-represented parties involved in the case, and trustees in bankruptcy, with access requiring authentication through Lexius.

Documents must be preserved in their original form until the conclusion of the case. Hard copy documents may be destroyed one year after the final judgment unless otherwise directed by the Chief Justice. Confidential documents must be filed in a manner that ensures their privacy.

Overall, the Pilot Project intention is to advance digitizing court processes with the goal of enhancing the efficiency and accessibility to the justice system while preserving the integrity and confidentiality of legal proceedings.

Quebec (Order 2024-5193), April 10, 2023