Appeals on the merits and motions presentable before a panel

Since May 25, 2020, the Court has resumed, on a regular basis, the hearing of appeals and motions presentable before a panel. In order to comply with the physical distancing requirements resulting from the current health emergency situation and all the directives of the public health authorities, these hearings will, in principle, be held by videoconference, in "virtual courtroom" mode (unless the matter is to proceed without a hearing - see under "Appeals decided without a hearing"). Parties or counsel will therefore be able to participate in a hearing from the location of their choice (home or office), without the need to travel. The Court office will contact the parties or counsel concerned in order to make the necessary arrangements for this purpose. Please take note that a virtual hearing may not be appropriate for certain matters, in which case the Court office will also contact those concerned.

Motions presentable before a judge

Since April 15, motions presentable before a judge have also proceeded by videoconference, in "virtual courtroom" mode. This approach, which complies with the social distancing requirements of the current health emergency, makes it possible to deal with most motions that fall within the jurisdiction of the Court’s judges sitting alone, in all matters. In exceptional cases, a physical presence may be authorized by the judge.

Upon receipt of a motion intended for a judge alone, the Court office will contact the parties or their counsel, as the case may be, in order to provide them with the necessary information for holding the videoconference.

Public nature of hearings

The use of virtual courtrooms does not prevent the public from attending hearings, given that the open court principle subsists, but is exercised differently (subject to the exceptions that apply under normal circumstances). The rolls for the Court will be posted on the Court's website, as usual, at [https://courdappelduquebec.ca/en/rolls/]. For more information, see https://courdappelduquebec.ca/en/virtual-courtrooms/

In the case of journalists, please contact the Court office (Court office in Quebec City: tel.: 418-649-3401 or courdappelqc@judex.qc.ca; Court office in Montreal: tel.: 514-393-2022 or courdappelmtl@judex.qc.ca).