Access to Justice
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February 10, 2025
Another day another Charter violation
A June 9, 2022, Toronto Star investigation by Rachel Mendleson and Steve Buist with the help of Western University’s Law School examined more than 600 cases and found that police are not often told when judges find they violated the Charter. Further, the reporting found that officers rarely face consequences. Yet Charter violations continue to occupy Appeal Courts’ dockets.
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February 11, 2025
Deportable offenders | Michael Crowley
Following a lengthy hearing at a minimum security prison, I turned to my colleague and asked “Do you believe this is an individual who has to die in a Canadian prison?”
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February 10, 2025
C.J. Wagner says top court ‘exploring’ provision of mediation in cases where leave to appeal denied
Lawyers say they want to know specifics about the out-of-the-blue disclosure from Supreme Court of Canada Chief Justice Richard Wagner that he has asked his staff to “explore the possibility” of the top court providing “mediation” for litigants in cases where the apex court denies leave to appeal, and his suggestion that family law cases might lend themselves to a potential mediation initiative.
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February 10, 2025
B.C. law society priorities for 2025 ‘haven’t changed that much’ from last year: president
The Law Society of British Columbia (LSBC) has held its first meeting of 2025, welcoming not only a new president but also a new CEO.
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February 10, 2025
Beyond ethics and governance: When AI should (and shouldn’t) be used in law | Daniel J. Escott
Artificial intelligence has entrenched itself in the legal profession, with firms and courts adopting AI-driven tools for legal research, document automation, and even decision-making support. In response, the legal industry has rushed to develop ethical frameworks and governance models to ensure responsible AI use. Yet, for all the effort put into these guidelines, they leave an essential question unanswered: When should lawyers actually use AI? And, just as importantly, when shouldn’t they?
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February 10, 2025
The Sword of Damocles: Economic and political fallout of tariffs | Hodine Williams
Tariffs are often touted as a means to protect American jobs and industries, but their impact is far more nuanced. Let’s break down the winners and losers:
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February 10, 2025
Saskatchewan guns, drugs appeal demonstrates Gladue applicability
A quarter century ago, the Supreme Court of Canada issued its landmark decision in the case of Jamie Tanis Gladue, a young Cree woman who had killed her common-law husband (R. v. Gladue, [1999] 1 SCR 688).
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February 07, 2025
B.C. Court of Appeal: Parallel class actions not abuse of process before certification
A proposed class action against a defendant facing a similar proposed class action in another jurisdiction is not inherently an abuse of process prior to the actions being certified, the B.C. Court of Appeal has held.
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February 07, 2025
Federal Court rules CRA cannot issue notice of reassessment while rejecting it as proof of income
The Federal Court has allowed an appeal of a COVID-era benefit eligibility decision in a case where the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) did not accept that the applicant's notice of assessment was relevant to his income.
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February 06, 2025
Saskatchewan report on domestic violence deaths echoes needed change: advocate
A Saskatchewan advocate for ending intimate partner violence is pointing to a recent report on related deaths in that province as further evidence that changes are needed — particularly when it comes to assisting those in rural areas.