Criminal
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March 10, 2025
Two judicial appointments made to B.C. courts
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Arif Virani has announced that Justice Heather MacNaughton has been appointed to the Court of Appeal for British Columbia in Vancouver as a Justice of Appeal, while Justice Julia E. Lawn has been appointed to the Supreme Court of British Columbia in Vancouver as a judge. The appointments are effective as of Jan. 1 and March 7, respectively.
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March 10, 2025
Procedural errors lead to successful appeal bid
“Hard cases make bad law” is an adage dating back to 1837. It stands for the proposition that cases that spark moral outrage should not be used as precedent for sentencing. Caleb Nettleton is no stranger to cases that result in moral outrage. While not the subject of comment in the most recent judgment, Nettleton's history suggests the Crown’s patience with this offender was likely strained.
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March 10, 2025
Mutual recognition of law licences: A step toward greater access to justice? | Daniel J. Escott
Canada’s first ministers have made a strong commitment to eliminating internal trade barriers, including the mutual recognition of professional credentials across provinces. While this effort is largely driven by economic concerns, including the need to strengthen domestic trade in the face of U.S. tariffs, the proposal raises fundamental questions for the self-regulated-by-jurisdiction legal profession. Specifically, should Canada’s lawyers be able to practice freely across provincial boundaries? And if so, how would this affect the longstanding principle of self-regulation by law societies? Furthermore, how would such a reform impact access to justice for Canadians, particularly those in underserved regions?
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March 10, 2025
PROCEDURE - Trials - Re-opening of trial - Setting aside judgment
Appeal by Crown for leave to appeal summary conviction appeal judge’s (SCAJ) decision and appeal to have the convictions restored against SS for sexual assault and sexual interference against his former girlfriend's daughter, JP.
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March 07, 2025
Canada announces further sanctions against Myanmar military officials
The federal government has announced sanctions against 13 Myanmar senior government officials and three entities, which include the country’s Ministry of Defence and armed forces, for “gross and systematic human rights violations.”
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March 07, 2025
Federal government announces expansion of assault weapons ban and additional protections
Pro- and anti-firearms groups were quick to respond to the federal government’s move March 7 to expand its assault weapons ban by an additional 179 specific guns and its introduction of new measures aimed at protecting people from intimate partner violence involving a firearm.
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March 07, 2025
Addressing the risks in trade finance and regulation of money laundering
Trade finance plays a crucial role in facilitating international commerce, enabling businesses to mitigate risks and optimize cash flow. However, the trade finance sector is not without its vulnerabilities. It presents unique challenges related to money laundering, as criminals can exploit complex international supply chains to obscure illicit activities. This article explores the risks associated with trade finance, the evolving regulatory landscape aimed at combating money laundering, and best practices for stakeholders in this critical sector.
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March 07, 2025
A spotlight on gender bias: Investigating the investigators | Heidi J. T. Exner
With International Women’s Day 2025 coming up Saturday March 8, it seems fitting to share a recent experience with my legal peers about some research I am conducting on gender bias in the private investigator industry.
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March 06, 2025
AI-based foreign meddling ‘very likely’ in next federal election, says security agency
Foreign actors from China, Russia and Iran are “very likely” to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to attempt to interfere with Canada’s 2025 federal election, according to a report by Communications Security Establishment (CSE) Canada.
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March 06, 2025
Ottawa targets Sudanese military leaders with sanctions over violence against civilians
Canada has imposed asset freezes and immigration bans on the leaders of the two opposing militaries in Sudan, in addition to sanctioning five other Sudanese individuals and three entities associated with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) or the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) “linked to the continued violence against civilians in Sudan.”