This is general information to help you plan, not legal advice. Rules and time limits change and depend on the court and the document. Check the current rules or ask your counsel before relying on it.
ON
Ontario
Rules of Civil Procedure (R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 194)
- Service of documents is dealt with in Rule 16, which covers personal service and alternatives to personal service.
- A statement of claim generally has to be served within six months after it is issued (Rule 14.08).
- Small Claims Court has its own rules, which set out how a plaintiff's claim may be served.
Official source: Ontario e-Laws
BC
British Columbia
Supreme Court Civil Rules (B.C. Reg. 168/2009)
- Personal service is described in Rule 4-3.
- A notice of civil claim generally has to be served within 12 months after it is filed (Rule 3-2).
- Provincial Court (small claims) matters follow the Small Claims Rules instead.
Official source: BC Laws
AB
Alberta
Alberta Rules of Court (Alta. Reg. 124/2010)
- Service of documents is set out in Part 11 of the Rules.
- A statement of claim generally has to be served within one year after it is filed (Rule 3.26).
- Civil claims in the Court of Justice have their own procedures.
Official source: Alberta King's Printer
QC
Quebec
Code of Civil Procedure (CQLR c C-25.01)
- Originating applications are generally served by a bailiff (huissier de justice).
- Proceedings may be in French or English. Plan for translation where the recipient or the court needs it.
- Tell us early if a matter is in Quebec so we can arrange service through a bailiff.
Official source: LégisQuébec
MB
Manitoba
Court of King's Bench Rules
- Service rules set out when personal service is required and what alternatives are allowed.
- Check the time limit for serving an originating document in the current rules.
Official source: Manitoba Laws
SK
Saskatchewan
The King's Bench Rules
- The Rules describe personal service and alternatives for most documents.
- Small claims matters follow separate procedures.
Official source: Publications Saskatchewan
NS
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Civil Procedure Rules
- The Rules set out how originating documents are delivered and proved.
- Small Claims Court has its own forms and service requirements.
Official source: Courts of Nova Scotia
NB
New Brunswick
Rules of Court (N.B. Reg. 82-73)
- The Rules cover personal service and service by alternative methods.
- Proceedings may be in English or French.
Official source: New Brunswick laws
NL
Newfoundland and Labrador
Rules of the Supreme Court, 1986
- The Rules set out how originating documents must be served.
- Remote communities may need extra time; plan ahead.
Official source: House of Assembly NL
PE
Prince Edward Island
Rules of Civil Procedure
- PEI's civil rules set out service requirements.
- Check the current rules for the time limit on serving a claim.
Official source: Courts of PEI
NT
Northwest Territories
Rules of the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories
- Distances and seasonal access can affect how long service takes.
- Allow extra time for communities without year-round road access.
Official source: NWT Courts
NU
Nunavut
Rules of the Nunavut Court of Justice
- Most communities are reached by air, so plan for longer timelines.
- Documents may need to be in Inuktitut or another official language for the recipient to understand them.
Official source: Nunavut Courts
YT
Yukon
Rules of Court of the Supreme Court of Yukon
- The Rules set out personal service and alternatives.
- Remote addresses can extend timelines.
Official source: Yukon Courts