COVID-19 and the suspension of deadlines and prescription periods

14 April 2020

On March 15, 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, all extinctive prescription periods (limitation periods), forfeiture periods and procedural deadlines in civil matters in Quebec were suspended by order of the Chief Justice of Quebec and of the Minister of Justice. This suspension will remain in place for the duration of the public health emergency declared by the Quebec government. Intended to preserve the rights of private parties and litigants during the crisis, Order 2020-4251 will impact the computation of prescription periods for years to come. This article (in French only) sheds light on the impact of this suspension.