: Is the re-examination of past decisions sapping the justice system’s capacity to hear and decide legal disputes at first instance? Our system has numerous ways to reopen past decisions and let a new set of adjudicators and advocates root around for errors: review, reconsideration, and motions to set aside or reopen as well as appeal itself. These re-examinations constitute a necessary organ, which serves essential functions in the justice system: correcting legal errors, delineating and refining legal rules, making new common law, and ensuring that administrative decision-makers do not exceed their jurisdiction. And yet these procedures have arguably been allowed . . . [more] The post Appellate Hypertrophy in the Canadian Justice System appeared first on Slaw
: Today, it seems obvious that criminal defendants can waive constitutional rights. Plea bargains make up the vast majority of criminal convictions, and defendants routinely trade their rights — to indictment, to remain silent, to an attorney, to a jury — in exchange for a faster trial or a lesser charge. The modern criminal legal system is a regime of negotiated justice. Rights used to have more force. The post The First Criminal Procedure Revolution appeared first on Harvard Law Review
: Every week we present the summary of a decision handed down by a Québec court provided to us by SOQUIJ and considered to be of interest to our readers throughout Canada. SOQUIJ is attached to the Québec Department of Justice and collects, analyzes, enriches, and disseminates legal information in Québec. PÉNAL (DROIT) : La notion de «cannabis illicite» qui se trouve à l’article 2 (1) de la Loi sur le cannabis est définie d’une manière telle que, même si le cannabis inséré dans l’anus de l’appelant — qui était détenu dans un établissement de détention — avait été acquis légalement, . . . [more] The post Summaries Sunday: SOQUIJ appeared first on Slaw
: Every week we present the summary of a decision handed down by a Québec court provided to us by SOQUIJ and considered to be of interest to our readers throughout Canada. SOQUIJ is attached to the Québec Department of Justice and collects, analyzes, enriches, and disseminates legal information in Québec. PÉNAL (DROIT) : La Cour accueille en partie une requête de la poursuite en rejet d’appel, l’accusé ayant, après le dépôt de son appel, mais avant l’imposition de la peine, quitté le Canada pour se soustraire à la justice. Intitulé : Malo c. R., 2026 QCCA 1266 Juridiction : Cour . . . [more] The post Summaries Sunday: SOQUIJ appeared first on Slaw
: Every week we present the summary of a decision handed down by a Québec court provided to us by SOQUIJ and considered to be of interest to our readers throughout Canada. SOQUIJ is attached to the Québec Department of Justice and collects, analyzes, enriches, and disseminates legal information in Québec. FAILLITE ET INSOLVABILITÉ : La créancière hypothécaire est autorisée à poursuivre l’exécution du jugement ayant autorisé la vente sous contrôle de justice d’un immeuble, principal actif de la débitrice, qui a été rendu avant que celle-ci ne dépose son avis d’intention; exerçant le pouvoir discrétionnaire que lui reconnaît l’article 69.4 . . . [more] The post Summaries Sunday: SOQUIJ appeared first on Slaw
: Every week we present the summary of a decision handed down by a Québec court provided to us by SOQUIJ and considered to be of interest to our readers throughout Canada. SOQUIJ is attached to the Québec Department of Justice and collects, analyzes, enriches, and disseminates legal information in Québec. PÉNAL (DROIT) : Dans une affaire de voies de fait graves commises à l’endroit d’une inconnue à la sortie d’un bar, en se limitant à énoncer les conséquences indirectes de la peine et en les qualifiant de facteurs neutres, sans les analyser véritablement dans l’exercice de détermination de la peine, . . . [more] The post Summaries Sunday: SOQUIJ appeared first on Slaw
: Every week we present the summary of a decision handed down by a Québec court provided to us by SOQUIJ and considered to be of interest to our readers throughout Canada. SOQUIJ is attached to the Québec Department of Justice and collects, analyzes, enriches, and disseminates legal information in Québec. PÉNAL (DROIT) : Dans une affaire de voies de fait commises par un père à l’endroit de ses enfants, le juge de première instance, qui a imposé à l’accusé une peine de 90 jours d’emprisonnement à purger de manière discontinue, a commis 3 erreurs de principe; la Cour supérieure, accueillant . . . [more] The post Summaries Sunday: SOQUIJ appeared first on Slaw
: Every week we present the summary of a decision handed down by a Québec court provided to us by SOQUIJ and considered to be of interest to our readers throughout Canada. SOQUIJ is attached to the Québec Department of Justice and collects, analyzes, enriches, and disseminates legal information in Québec. PÉNAL (DROIT) : Une peine totale de 8 ans d’emprisonnement, de laquelle est soustraite la détention provisoire, est imposée à l’auteur de fraudes amoureuses ayant causé des pertes de centaines de milliers de dollars ainsi que des risques de pertes et ayant entraîné des conséquences majeures pour les 4 femmes . . . [more] The post Summaries Sunday: SOQUIJ appeared first on Slaw
: Every week we present the summary of a decision handed down by a Québec court provided to us by SOQUIJ and considered to be of interest to our readers throughout Canada. SOQUIJ is attached to the Québec Department of Justice and collects, analyzes, enriches, and disseminates legal information in Québec. PROCÉDURE CIVILE : La Cour supérieure peut rendre une ordonnance de sauvegarde concernant 2 des 3 enfants des parties; elle ne peut le faire à l’égard du cadet, qui est né après le 29 juin 2025, puisque seul le Tribunal unifié de la famille possède cette compétence. Intitulé : Droit . . . [more] The post Summaries Sunday: SOQUIJ appeared first on Slaw
: Every week we present the summary of a decision handed down by a Québec court provided to us by SOQUIJ and considered to be of interest to our readers throughout Canada. SOQUIJ is attached to the Québec Department of Justice and collects, analyzes, enriches, and disseminates legal information in Québec. PÉNAL (DROIT) : La Cour ordonne la tenue d’un nouveau procès dans une affaire de conduite avec les facultés affaiblies et avec une alcoolémie supérieure à la limite permise ayant causé, dans les 2 cas, la mort; le juge de première instance a abordé la question de la causalité selon . . . [more] The post Summaries Sunday: SOQUIJ appeared first on Slaw
: Every week we present the summary of a decision handed down by a Québec court provided to us by SOQUIJ and considered to be of interest to our readers throughout Canada. SOQUIJ is attached to the Québec Department of Justice and collects, analyzes, enriches, and disseminates legal information in Québec. PÉNAL (DROIT) : Un examen inégal des témoignages de l’appelant et de la victime d’agression sexuelle allant au-delà de la méthodologie est démontré; l’analyse de la crédibilité de l’appelant a mené à un renversement du fardeau de la preuve, et la Cour d’appel ordonne la tenue d’un nouveau procès. Intitulé . . . [more] The post Summaries Sunday: SOQUIJ appeared first on Slaw
: Every week we present the summary of a decision handed down by a Québec court provided to us by SOQUIJ and considered to be of interest to our readers throughout Canada. SOQUIJ is attached to the Québec Department of Justice and collects, analyzes, enriches, and disseminates legal information in Québec. PÉNAL (DROIT) : L’usage que faisait l’appelante de son téléphone cellulaire au moyen d’un dispositif mains libres intégré à son véhicule n’était pas un usage autorisé en raison du fait qu’elle tenait en main son appareil durant la conversation téléphonique admise. Intitulé : Rahme c. Ville de Laval, 2026 QCCA . . . [more] The post Summaries Sunday: SOQUIJ appeared first on Slaw
: Every week we present the summary of a decision handed down by a Québec court provided to us by SOQUIJ and considered to be of interest to our readers throughout Canada. SOQUIJ is attached to the Québec Department of Justice and collects, analyzes, enriches, and disseminates legal information in Québec. PÉNAL (DROIT) : Dans une affaire de possession, d’accès et de distribution de pédopornographie, le juge de première instance a accordé un poids insuffisant aux caractéristiques personnelles de l’accusé, qui présente une déficience intellectuelle; il y a lieu de substituer à la peine prononcée une peine de 6 mois de . . . [more] The post Summaries Sunday: SOQUIJ appeared first on Slaw
: Every week we present the summary of a decision handed down by a Québec court provided to us by SOQUIJ and considered to be of interest to our readers throughout Canada. SOQUIJ is attached to the Québec Department of Justice and collects, analyzes, enriches, and disseminates legal information in Québec. PÉNAL (DROIT) : Il y a lieu d’intervenir à l’égard de la décision ayant déclaré l’appelant coupable à la fois de l’infraction de proxénétisme prévue par l’article 286.3 C.Cr. et d’avoir obtenu les services sexuels du plaignant moyennant rétribution en vertu de l’article 286.1 C.Cr., cette décision étant erronée en . . . [more] The post Summaries Sunday: SOQUIJ appeared first on Slaw
: Every week we present the summary of a decision handed down by a Québec court provided to us by SOQUIJ and considered to be of interest to our readers throughout Canada. SOQUIJ is attached to the Québec Department of Justice and collects, analyzes, enriches, and disseminates legal information in Québec. PÉNAL (DROIT) : La Cour d’appel ordonne la tenue d’un nouveau procès dans une affaire de meurtre; à l’absence de directives restrictives relatives à la preuve de mauvaise moralité s’ajoutaient des erreurs dans les directives au jury quant aux modes de participation pouvant ou non conduire à une condamnation pour . . . [more] The post Summaries Sunday: SOQUIJ appeared first on Slaw
: Every week we present the summary of a decision handed down by a Québec court provided to us by SOQUIJ and considered to be of interest to our readers throughout Canada. SOQUIJ is attached to the Québec Department of Justice and collects, analyzes, enriches, and disseminates legal information in Québec. PÉNAL (DROIT) : Après l’incident survenu à la fin du procès lors duquel 2 boîtes ont été déposées par erreur dans la salle de délibération du jury, l’enquête menée par la juge était suffisante. Intitulé : Theus c. R., 2026 QCCA 1107 Juridiction : Cour d’appel (C.A.), Montréal Décision de . . . [more] The post Summaries Sunday: SOQUIJ appeared first on Slaw
: Every week we present the summary of a decision handed down by a Québec court provided to us by SOQUIJ and considered to be of interest to our readers throughout Canada. SOQUIJ is attached to the Québec Department of Justice and collects, analyzes, enriches, and disseminates legal information in Québec. PÉNAL (DROIT) : Lorsqu’on applique en l’espèce la définition usuelle du mot «importer» et que l’on retient que la cocaïne a été importée au Canada au moment où elle a franchi la frontière, la déclaration de culpabilité de l’appelant doit être confirmée. Intitulé : Donciu c. R., 2026 QCCA 1289 . . . [more] The post Summaries Sunday: SOQUIJ appeared first on Slaw
: Every week we present the summary of a decision handed down by a Québec court provided to us by SOQUIJ and considered to be of interest to our readers throughout Canada. SOQUIJ is attached to the Québec Department of Justice and collects, analyzes, enriches, and disseminates legal information in Québec. PÉNAL (DROIT) : L’omission de la juge de première instance d’aborder le critère du consentement de l’accusé à la présence de l’arme à l’intérieur du véhicule dans lequel il était passager constitue une erreur de droit; il y a lieu d’appliquer la disposition réparatrice (art. 686 (1) b) (iii) C.Cr.). . . . [more] The post Summaries Sunday: SOQUIJ appeared first on Slaw
: “The Access to Legal Services Boulder Was Never the Point” BC Day 2025 Origins Like many things Amici Curiae Friends of Court (AC) does, it starts with my waking up one morning and thinking to myself, hmmm, I think we could do better improving the services we provide British Columbians. BC Day 2025 was no different. For many of us who are working in the access to justice ecosystem, solving these complex issues can feel Sisyphean. Sisyphus was a legendary king who was condemned by Zeus and the gods eternally for his cleverness, to repeatedly roll a heavy rock up . . . [more] The post Access to Legal Services: From Sisyphean Quest to a Sustainable Community appeared first on Slaw
: Every week we present the summary of a decision handed down by a Québec court provided to us by SOQUIJ and considered to be of interest to our readers throughout Canada. SOQUIJ is attached to the Québec Department of Justice and collects, analyzes, enriches, and disseminates legal information in Québec. PROCÉDURE CIVILE : Bien que le droit d’être jugé dans un délai raisonnable prévu à l’article 11 b) de la Charte canadienne des droits et libertés s’applique à une personne accusée d’outrage au tribunal en matière civile, les principes établis dans l’arrêt R. c. Jordan (C.S. Can., 2016-07-08), 2016 CSC . . . [more] The post Summaries Sunday: SOQUIJ appeared first on Slaw
: Every week we present the summary of a decision handed down by a Québec court provided to us by SOQUIJ and considered to be of interest to our readers throughout Canada. SOQUIJ is attached to the Québec Department of Justice and collects, analyzes, enriches, and disseminates legal information in Québec. PÉNAL (DROIT) : Serge Audette est reconnu coupable de l’homicide involontaire d’une jeune femme qui a disparu 30 ans plus tôt et dont le corps n’a jamais été trouvé. Intitulé : R. c. Audette, 2026 QCCQ 2478 * Juridiction : Cour du Québec, Chambre criminelle et pénale (C.Q.), Montréal Décision . . . [more] The post Summaries Sunday: SOQUIJ appeared first on Slaw
: Over the past few years, I’ve delivered presentations to legal groups and member organizations focussed on “Journey Mapping”. [1] Journey Mapping is the visual representation of an individual’s journey through a process that happens over time. It is a collection of touchpoints from the beginning to the end looking at the individual’s experience, the stages in a process, the actors and emotions. It sounds like a simple concept, right? But, what is most complex is trying to explain the value of Journey Mapping in the law, because there is exceptional value, and you only have to see it to see . . . [more] The post A Victim’s Criminal Justice Journey: The Value of Visual Mapping appeared first on Slaw
: For Professor Seánna Howard , Director of the International Human Rights Advocacy Workshop, international legal research begins with a simple but important recognition: the most valuable sources are not always the most familiar ones. Her research has taken her to Tucson, where she joined the renowned Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy (IPLP) Program at the University of Arizona College of Law. Along the way, she has worked as an advocate, lawyer, researcher, independent expert, and educator on issues involving Indigenous Peoples, international human rights law, and social justice. Her work also reflects the importance of developing research strategies for areas . . . [more] The post Researching Beyond the Familiar: An Interview With Professor Seánna Howard appeared first on Slaw
: Hannah Steeves, the Instruction & Reference Librarian at the Sir James Dunn Law Library, Dalhousie University (Halifax), recently wrote an article on "Using Vinyl & Spotify to Understand Legal Information Online" . It originally appeared on Slaw.ca on February 15, 2022 . Most legal research is done online through a combination of open and subscription databases. Legal information is available at our fingertips through Justice Laws, LEGISinfo, CanLII, Westlaw, Lexis, ProView, SOQUIJ, [insert your preferred database here], and the list goes on. The availability of electronic resources has radically changed—and will continue to change—the way legal professionals conduct research. However, despite my enthusiasm for the improved accessibility and retrievability, I think the lack of engagement that new legal researchers have with print resources creates comprehension issues. The disconnect between a source’s print and electronic formats reduces their understanding of the process used to create the document. Unders[...]
: CALL member Dominique Garingan , Library Manager in the Calgary office of Parlee McLaws LLP, recently wrote an article on " The Singular They: Gender Inclusivity in Canadian Legal Writing and Style Guides " . It originally appeared on the website Notes Between Us on June 22, 2022 . It is reprinted here with permission. Language is a product of culture, and it is known that the English language lacks a singular pronoun that signifies the non-specific he or she . Although at times unintentional, this singularity versus plurality of pronouns, coupled with gendered indicators, has helped entrench the binary perceptions of gender found in writing which we are now seeking to change. The Department of Justice of Canada recently provided a series of guidelines on the use of gender-neutral language in a legislative context. These guidelines include as a recommendation the use of the singular they and its other grammatical forms ( them , themselves , and their ) to refer to indefinite pronouns and s[...]
: New data from the Federal Trade Commission reveal that people reported losing a staggering $3.5 billion to imposter scams in 2025, with reported losses increasing nearly three times since 2020. FTC data also show that people reported imposter scams more than any other fraud category in 2025—nearly one in three fraud reports were about imposter scams. These scams lured consumers through text, phone, email, social media, search engine results and other means. Some of the costliest impersonation scams start with a fake security alert, often from a bank. People are convinced to move money to “protect” it, with their losses often limited only by their available funds. Last year, people reported losing nearly $1 billion to business impersonators with the highest reported losses to bank impersonators—and about $920 million to government impersonators, up from $866 million and $789 million respectively in 2024. The FTC has seen a striking increase in reported fraud losses to all types of fraud—about $16 billion was [...]
: Claim number: M00LU691 In the County Court at Luton Luton Justice Centre 5 June 2026 Before: His Honour Judge Davies Between: Luton community housing limited (“squared”) -v- 1. Christopher Earl 2. David Earl 3. Charlotte Earl 4. Roger Litchfield MR VAUGHAN appeared on behalf of the Claimant THE FOURTH DEFENDANT appeared In Person (part) NO APPEARANCE by or on behalf of all other Defendants Judgement (approved) This Transcript is Crown Copyright. It may not be reproduced in whole or in part, other than in accordance with relevant licence or with the express consent of the Authority. All rights are reserved. WARNING: reporting restrictions may apply to the contents transcribed in this document, particularly if the case concerned a sexual offence or involved a child. Reporting restrictions prohibit the publication of the applicable information to the public or any section of the public, in writing, in a broadcast or by means of the internet, including social media. Anyone who receives a copy of this transcript [...]