The Court Challenges Program (CCP) is composed of two branches: the Official Language Rights Branch and the Human Rights Branch. While distinct in many ways, the two branches share the common goal of facilitating access to the courts by providing financial support for test cases of national importance that have the potential to affirm and clarify certain constitutional and quasi-constitutional rights.

Funding decisions for the CCP are made by two independent Expert Panels, one for each branch of the Program. Expert Panel decisions are made based on the eligibility criteria and within the jurisdiction specific to each branch.

Each branch of the Program offers funding in three main categories: test case development, litigation, and legal intervention.

Test Case Development

This category of funding is suitable for individuals or groups who believe that one or more of their rights covered by the CCP have been violated and who need financial support to consider and prepare a legal case. Funding available for test case development can be used for legal research and drafting, community consultation, and evidence development.

Litigation

Litigation funding is intended to enable eligible individuals or groups to bring cases before the courts in order to obtain a judicial decision affirming or clarifying one or more rights covered by the CCP. This category covers both first instance (first level) litigation as well as each level of appeal. Maximum amounts for this category of funding apply separately to each judicial level and distinct funding applications must be presented at each level (first instance, appeal). Funding available for litigation can be used for legal fees and disbursements, evidence preparation, and court costs, among other things.

Legal Intervention

The CCP funds interventions in order to enable eligible individuals or groups to present arguments to the courts that complement or offer a different perspective from the arguments presented by the main parties in a case. To be eligible for funding, prospective legal intervenors must seek to clarify one or more rights covered by the CCP.

Accessibility Funding

To ensure equitable access to CCP-funded activities, extra accessibility funding may be available for each of the above categories. For more information, please visit the accessibility funding page.

If you are having difficulty deciding which funding category best applies to you, you can consult our Guide for Choosing a Funding Category.

Official Language
Rights Branch

Human Rights
Branch