Bill 13: An Act to establish the office of special clerk

This bill primarily affects lawyers (advocates) and notaries in Quebec who may apply to become special clerks, as eligibility requires at least five years of practice and active standing with the Barreau du Québec or Chambre des notaires du Québec. Legal professionals in private practice, law firms, or employed in various sectors across Quebec could see their day-to-day work before the courts affected, since special clerks will now handle certain judicial functions in the Superior Court and Court of Québec province-wide. Businesses and individuals involved in civil litigation, child abduction matters, youth protection proceedings, forestry credit disputes, or utility payment issues may interact with special clerks rather than judges for certain procedural steps. The bill does not directly regulate private businesses, but companies that frequently appear before Quebec courts should be aware that some proceedings will now be handled by this new category of officer.