Access to Justice
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October 31, 2025
B.C. Court of Appeal decides error by trial judge means harsher sentence
In British Columbia, it is well established that a sentence for sexual assault against adults must reflect society’s current understanding of the serious harm and wrongfulness of sexual violence.
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October 30, 2025
Court slashes lawyers’ $510M contingency fee in $10B Robinson Huron settlement to $40M
The Ontario Superior Court has slashed legal fees for the lawyers who obtained a $10-billion settlement for certain First Nations under the Robinson Huron treaty, reducing their compensation from $510 million to $40 million.
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October 30, 2025
Exclusive: Chief Justice Crampton reflects on Federal Court’s successes and ongoing challenges
As he steps down today from the diversified and expert bench he’s recruited over the past 14 years, Federal Court Chief Justice Paul Crampton says he’s confident about the national trial court’s future, even though the full implementation of the court’s “digital shift” awaits the necessary funding from Ottawa.
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October 29, 2025
Commons committee invites public input on improving peace bonds, recognizance orders
A House of Commons committee is soliciting submissions by Nov. 28 to inform its new study of how the safety of women and children is affected by Canada’s bail and sentencing regimes, and how Criminal Code s. 810 (recognizance orders or peace bonds) can be improved to help keep women and children safe.
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October 29, 2025
Sentence will result in deportation, pitting proportionality against public safety
A penitentiary inmate will be denied parole if there is a legitimate concern that the inmate may pose a danger to society. According to the Parole Board of Canada, when a parolee is subject to deportation, society includes populations outside Canada.
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October 28, 2025
CJ Crampton says Federal Court ‘won’t hesitate’ to impose costs on lawyers for undisclosed GenAI use
Counsel who “thumb their noses” at the Federal Court’s requirement to disclose any and all generative AI they used to create court filings will find that the national trial court “won’t hesitate” to ding them with personal costs or initiate contempt proceedings, warns Federal Court Chief Justice Paul Crampton.
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October 28, 2025
Bill C-223 and parental alienation: Trust the judges, not the politicians
Bill C-223, recently introduced as a private member’s bill by backbench Liberal MP Lisa Hepfner, would substantially amend the parenting provisions of the Divorce Act, and in our view harm the interests of children and parents.
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October 28, 2025
‘Torturous state actions’ at Maplehurst impel conversation for change
There is an ongoing “conversation,” as suggested by the late professor Peter W. Hogg, between the courts and the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services. That dialogue is now reaching the point of being a shouting match.
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October 27, 2025
LSO awards honorary LLD to Justice Stanley Sherr
The Law Society of Ontario (LSO) has awarded an honorary doctor of laws (LLD) degree to Justice Stanley Sherr at its Oct. 27 Call to the Bar ceremony.
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October 27, 2025
Recommendations for ethical, effective AI use in family law online dispute resolution, part three
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the landscape of dispute resolution, offering new tools to enhance efficiency, accessibility and consistency. In family law, where disputes are often emotionally charged and deeply personal, the integration of AI into online dispute resolution (ODR) presents both extraordinary promise and significant ethical challenges.