If you have a matter in front of the Superior Court of Ontario or the Divisional Court of Ontario, and you have tried to file a document without a backpage (also known as a "backsheet"), your filing may have been rejected.
So what is a backpage? Pursuant to the Rules of Civil Procedure, the backpage is Form 4C - essentially, it is a single page that you place at the end of every document you file with the Court. The backpage identifies the following information:
a. the short title of the proceeding (the names of the parties);
b. the name of the court and the court file number;
c. in the case of an affidavit, the deponent’s name and the date when he or she swore it;
d. the location of the court office in which the proceeding was commenced;
e. the title of the document;
f. if a lawyer is serving or filing the document, the lawyer’s name, address, telephone number, e-mail address and law society membership number;
g. if a party is acting in person, his or her name, address for service, telephone number and e-mail address (if any); and
h. if the document is to be served, the e-mail address, if known, of the person on whom the document is to be served.
What should a backpage look like? See an example below.
BACKPAGE TIPS:
The backpage is always in "landscape" orientation.
When physically printed, the backage faces out, meaning you can read it when your document is closed.
Make sure the court file number is correct so the filing is not rejected by the Registrar or clerk.
Make sure the contact information is accurate so the court can reach you.
You can download the free editable form for a backpage from the Ontario government here.
You can purchase my editable form of the backpage, which contains instructions on how to fill it out here (cost $1):
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