Criminal
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April 24, 2024
The life of Wally Gillespie: A study in strength of character and friendship | Ron Dalton
After 80 years, Walter Francis Gillespie left us on Fri., April 19, 2024. Wally, as he was known to one and all, was a remarkable man in many understated ways.
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April 24, 2024
Circumstances surrounding firearm cited in reversal of acquittal
Unlike the portrayal of American justice in popular media, when a defendant is acquitted at trial once and for all, the Canadian legal system operates with a somewhat different approach. It is unusual for an acquittal to be set aside on appeal, but it sometimes happens. This necessitates the Crown demonstrating a significant error in law that substantially impacted the acquittal. This distinctiveness of our legal system might surprise many.
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April 23, 2024
N.S. gets new justice minister amid comments controversy
Nova Scotia has a new justice minister following the sudden resignation of Brad Johns, who stepped down after making controversial comments about domestic violence.
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April 23, 2024
AI, protecting yourself from bad actors | Connie L. Braun and Juliana Saxberg
While it is true that many people believe that laws and regulations are enacted only to limit us, laws and regulations are actually in place to guide us about how to conduct ourselves properly in life and business. Common standards and shared values, consideration of others and responsible behaviour all contribute to a society that functions well. Some people will use tools, intended for good, in harmful ways — ways that disregard laws and regulations. The same applies to the use of AI, with individuals finding ways to impersonate, cheat, manipulate and deceive — anything you can think of to exploit others.
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April 23, 2024
Elected officials, police, justice system responsible for Zameer tragedy | John L. Hill
The days following the accidental killing of police Constable Jeffrey Northrup by being struck by a vehicle driven by 34-year-old accountant Umar Zameer in an underground parking garage at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto on July 2, 2021, have been a nightmare for Zameer and his family.
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April 22, 2024
SCC’s spring session features weighty constitutional & admin law appeals but case volume is light
Constitutional and administrative law cases dominate at the Supreme Court of Canada this spring, with the handful of appeals to be heard involving class actions, standard of review, the honour of the Crown and the right to vote.
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April 22, 2024
Three judicial appointments announced in Saskatchewan
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Arif Virani announced three new appointments to Saskatchewan's judicial courts, a news release from the Department of Justice announced.
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April 22, 2024
Nova Scotia judicial appointment announced
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Arif Virani announced the appointment of Shannon B. Mason as Judge of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia.
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April 22, 2024
Decision delivers ‘beacon of hope’ for bail system | John L. Hill
Justice Brock Jones handed down a critical and well-reasoned decision in the Ontario Court of Justice on April 12, 2024. The judgment addressed issues such as a “catch and release” policy the Ontario premier attributes to overly lenient justices of the peace (JP) at bail hearings.
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April 22, 2024
Alabama IVF ruling: Bad facts make bad law | Abby Hafer
On Feb. 16 of this year, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that embryos that are created by in vitro fertilization (IVF) are to be considered children. Since Canadian conservatives have a bad habit of sounding like their southern counterparts, this should worry Canadians.