Invitation to participate

Introduction

The current Rules of Appeal Practices and Procedures of the Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada (the Rules) came into force in 1986, replacing the former Court Martial Appeal Rules of Canada. They were last updated in 2022. Since then, there have been developments in jurisprudence and significant advances in technology. These changes have impacted the practices and procedures of the Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada (the CMAC), giving rise to the need to revise and update the Rules.

Under sections 244 and 248.82 of the National Defence Act (the NDA), the Chief Justice of the CMAC established in November 2025 a Standing Rules Committee (the Committee) to conduct a review of the Rules. The Committee’s mandate includes recommending amendments to the Rules as well as any required consequential amendments to the NDA.

Composition of the Committee

The Committee consists of thirteen members: The Chief Justice of the CMAC (Chair), three members of the judiciary designated by the Chief Justice, two members designated by the Canadian Military Prosecutions Services , two members designated by the Defence Counsel Services , one member designated by the Military Justice Division of the Office of the Judge Advocate General , one member designated by the Office of the Chief Military Judge , the Chief Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of the Courts Administration Services, the Registrar of the CMAC and one member from the private bar.

Public participation in the review process

The Committee invites all those interested to participate in this review by making any proposal they wish for Rules amendments.

How to participate

All input and proposals for rule changes should be submitted by email to the Secretary of the Committee at: CMAC-JUDICIAL-ADMIN-CACM-ADMIN-JUDICIAIRE@cas-satj.gc.ca during the consultation period, which runs from January 21, 2026, to March 6, 2026.

The Committee encourages all persons that would like to provide proposal(s) to specify:

1. the relevant rule(s) in respect of which a change is proposed;
2. the nature and scope of the issue identified;
3. any relevant background to the issue that the proposal is intended to address; and
4. a suggested solution to the issue identified.

Proposals may take some time to be considered. Once considered, the Committee will develop an outline of the changes it intends to give further consideration to and will invite further comments from those interested via a notice on the Court’s website.