Litigation
Registration Status
Registration: CLOSED
Program Information
This course introduces the student to the litigation proceedings in Ontario and the role of the law clerk in a litigation matter. Students will learn about the various court systems, the legislation applicable to each area and the related forms to each phase of litigation, including but not limited to pleadings, discovery, motions, pre-trial, trial and Ontario appellate courts; from both the plaintiff/defendant and applicant/respondent perspectives. An ability to apply the Rules of Civil Procedure is a critical component of becoming an efficient litigation law clerk. Students will also learn the legal research critical to litigation action and how to determine the appropriate uses of client information.
A diverse area of civil practice that presents you with a wide range of duties and responsibilities. These may include legal research, drafting pleadings, preparing documents for court proceedings, preparing documentary evidence, preparing for and assisting at trial, appeals, conducting examinations in aid of execution and the enforcement of orders. This course is especially appropriate for those currently employed as law clerks or experienced legal assistants.
The Litigation course is offered annually, and this time around will run from September – March.
Course Instructor: Lori Markus, Litigation Law Clerk
Attendance: Attendance is mandatory. Classes will not be recorded. Students are expected to attend class on a regular basis.
Exam Date: March 25, 2027 (online)
Course Fee: $575.00 +HST. The Litigation Associate Syllabus is included with course registration.
Course Registration Deadline: Refer to Course and Exam Schedule.
Exam Date: Important information regarding the exam date and registration can be found on the Course and Exam Schedule page.
Important Information: The exam registration is separate from the course registration. Registration for each exam will open in advance of the exam date. Please check the website for updates or email education@ilco.on.ca.
There is no post-exam review and appeal process for exams.
ILCO is pleased to offer the Associate Litigation Course via live Webinar sessions on Zoom.
The Litigation Course runs 25 weeks and starts Thursday September 10, 2026 - March 11, 2027 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. There is no lecture on December 24, 2026 and December 31, 2026.
Exam & Refund Policy
2027 ILCO Provincial Litigation Exam
REGISTER NOWDate: Thursday, March 25, 2027 (Online)
Exam Fee: $200.00 + HST
Syllabus
Textbook & Recommended Reference Materials
Required Textbook
Watson & McGowan’s Ontario Civil Practice 2027
• Make sure you get both volumes – Volume 1 Rules and Volume 2 Forms
Volume 2 ISBN 9781038217202 for the 2027 Edition
• To ensure you get both volumes, please contact Rick Davidovich by email at Rick.Davidovich@thomsonreuters.com or phone 647.376.4143
• If necessary, students are permitted to use Miller, Cowan, Walwyn Ontario Annual Practice 2026-2027
Required Resources
Please note that this book is a resource only and is NOT permitted to be used during the exam.
Recommended Reading
Ontario Litigator’s Pocket Reference, 2025 Edition Ira Nishisato; LexisNexis Canada (ISBN/ISSN: 9780433527978) You may purchase the print or digital version.
The Law Society of Ontario, Rules of Professional Conduct
Pocket Dictionary of Canadian Law, 5th Edition, Daphne Dukelow; Thomson Reuters (ISBN 9780779836888)
Recommended Websites
The Sedona Conference: https://thesedonaconference.org/publications
Ontario Statutes and Regulations are available online at www.ontario.ca/laws
Courts of Justice Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.43 https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90c43
Rules Of Civil Procedure https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/900194
Rules Of The Small Claims Court https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/980258
Federal Statutes and Regulations are available online at https://laws.justice.gc.ca
Ontario Court Forms are available online at http://ontariocourtforms.on.ca/en/
Canadian Judicial Council – News and Publications and Technology Issues are available online at www.cjc.gc.ca
Information regarding court fees, court addresses and phone numbers etc. is available by following the links online at www.ontariocourts.ca and www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca
Fees are also available on CanLII Court Fees
Information regarding pre-judgment and post-judgment interest rates is available at www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/courts/interestrates.php
Daily Court Lists for the Superior Court of Justice (Ontario) and the Ontario Court of Justice are available at:
Court transcripts – to find an authorized court transcriptionist in Ontario www.courttranscriptontario.ca
Other Reference Materials
Small Claims Court: Procedure and Practice, 5th Edition, Knight, Emond Publishing (ISBN 978-1-77255-795-4)
Bennett on the Commercial List, 2nd Edition Bennett; LexisNexis Canada (ISBN 9780433478010)
Fundamentals of Contract Law, 3rd Edition, Fitzgerald, Olivo; Emond Publishing (ISBN 978-1-55239-385-7)
Law Workbook: Developing Skills for Legal Research and Writing, 2nd Edition Kierstead, Gordon, Elkhadem; Emond Publishing (ISBN 978-1-55239-336-9)
The Conduct of an Appeal, 5th Edition Sopinka & Gelowitz; LexisNexis Canada (ISBN 9780433522409)
Enforcing Judgments and Orders, 2nd Edition Upenieks & Van Kessel; LexisNexis Canada (ISBN 9780433479338)