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Appeal Book and Compendium for Ontario Appeals

The Appeal Book holds the certified record of the proceeding below: pleadings, the order under appeal, the reasons, and the exhibits. The Compendium is the slimmer set of materials the panel actually reads at the hearing. Rules 61.10 and 61.10.1 of the Rules of Civil Procedure govern both.

Appeal Book contents (Rule 61.10)

A copy of the order or judgment under appeal; a copy of the reasons; the pleadings; any other order necessary; a list of exhibits; the Notice of Appeal; the Certificate Respecting Evidence (Form 61C). The book is bound, tabbed, and paginated continuously.

Compendium (Rule 61.10.1)

The Compendium pulls only the documents the panel will be referred to during oral argument: the order, the key pages of the reasons, the key exhibits, and the key paragraphs of any affidavit. Shorter is better — the panel hears tens of appeals a week.

Transcripts and the record

Order trial or hearing transcripts through the Court Reporters' office well before the perfection deadline. The Certificate of Perfection (Form 61H) is filed once the appeal book, compendium, factum, and transcripts are ready and served.

Frequently asked questions

When is the appeal perfected?
On a civil appeal, within 60 days of filing the Notice of Appeal (Rule 61.09(1)). Late perfection requires a motion for an extension under Rule 3.02.
How many copies of the appeal book do I file?
Three for a three-judge panel of the Divisional Court or Court of Appeal, plus one for the respondent. Check the practice direction for the courthouse — Toronto and Hamilton have different counter requirements.
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