NEWSLETTER – WINTER 2026

Recent guidance by the Action Committee on Modernizing Court Operations continues to address both technological modernization and user-centred justice, with a focus on the needs and experience of Indigenous people in the courts. We encourage you to spread the word by sharing this newsletter to those in your networks.

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RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Indigenous Laws in Canadian Courts: Building on the Action Committee’s previous publications on Indigenous people in Canadian courts, as well as the Diverse Needs of Court Users (Orienting Principles and Operating Practices), this publication provides a basic introduction to Indigenous laws. It provides a framework for respectful engagement with this distinct body of law. It highlights the importance of a contextual approach and presents certain legal concepts common across many Indigenous legal orders, as well as different forms Indigenous laws might take.

Structured Reconciliation in the Courts: For several decades now, the concept of reconciliation has been central to discussions about the relationship between Indigenous people and other Canadians. Accordingly, courts across the country are increasingly recognizing the need to take a holistic approach to advance reconciliation by addressing the ongoing effects of colonialization on Indigenous people by adopting frameworks for action and collaboration like Reconciliation Committees and Indigenous Justice Strategies. This publication examines these projects and provides a roadmap to support other courts in adopting a similar approach.

Repository of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Initiatives in Canadian Courts and Tribunals: Complementing the Action Committee’s growing suite of publications on AI, this repository provides an overview of court- and tribunal-led AI initiatives from jurisdictions across the country. Interested parties are encouraged to draw inspiration from the approaches highlighted in the profiles and the application of AI in the featured initiatives. This publication may be updated or revised as court- and tribunal-use of AI becomes more widespread.

Needs of Black Court Users: This publication looks at how the history of Black people in Canada, beginning with the Transatlantic Slave Trade, affects their experiences in both the justice system and society more broadly. It explores sources of trauma and inequity for Black people, including barriers they commonly face when engaging with the courts. A glossary and list of resources and suggested readings are included as annexes. This is the first of two publications on Black court users as part of the Action Committee’s series on the diverse needs of court users (see the Orienting Principles and Operating Practices).

Addressing Barriers Faced by Black Court Users: This companion publication builds on the guidance on the Needs of Black Court Users by exploring how a trauma-informed and trauma responsive approach can be used to address the barriers experienced by Black court users. It expands on the general guidance contained in the Action Committee’s Operating Practices related to the diverse needs of court users and highlights tools and programs to support Black court user users.

Interpretation in the Courts – Challenges and Tips: Access to interpretation can safeguard procedural fairness and ensure an effective court process when one participant does not speak the language of the proceeding. However, interpretation adds a level of complexity to a court proceeding, and doing it well may require additional processes, resources, or steps. This publication examines challenges with providing effective interpretation in the court context and provides tips to enhance both the management of interpretation services and the operation of a court proceeding involving interpretation services.

WHO WE ARE

The Action Committee on Modernizing Court Operations is a national leadership body that supports Canada’s courts in their modernization efforts. The Committee provides non-prescriptive, practical guidance for addressing challenges, and highlights opportunities and innovative practices to modernize court operations and improve access to justice for court users at all levels of Canadian courts, in all types of court matters. It also identifies areas of further study that may interest policymakers, academics, and training providers in the field of court operations.

The Action Committee is co-chaired by the Chief Justice of Canada, the Right Honourable Richard Wagner, and the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, the Honourable Sean Fraser. Its members include senior representatives of the judiciary and ministries responsible for Justice from various Canadian jurisdictions. The Committee is supported by an Indigenous Advisory Group to enrich the Action Committee’s work by ensuring that Indigenous perspectives are accurately reflected, and a Technical Working Group to ensure that national perspectives are reflected.

The Action Committee welcomes feedback, and relies upon collaborative information sharing, to inform its work on relevant topics. Contact us at AC-secretariat-CA@fja-cmf.gc.ca.