Access to Justice
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January 12, 2026
A plea for inperson parole hearings
The Parole Board of Canada is an administrative body that makes decisions regarding the release of individuals who are serving prison sentences of more than two years.
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January 12, 2026
Ontario Court of Appeal offers patient ‘glimmer of hope’ after 25 years of seclusion
In the same week that the case was argued, the Court of Appeal for Ontario delivered its written decision (Hamblett (Re), 2026 ONCA 9) on Friday, Jan. 9, 2025, regarding an appeal by Camelott Hamblett.
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January 08, 2026
Quebec court to consider proposed Fiat 500 door handle defect settlement
The Quebec Superior Court is set to consider a proposed settlement for a class action concerning alleged door handle defects in Fiat 500 vehicles from model years 2012 to 2019, according to a release.
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January 08, 2026
Nova Scotia releases first 2SLGBTQIA+ action plan
Nova Scotia has released its first 2SLGBTQIA+ action plan, which includes addressing that community’s lack of trust in the province’s justice system. A Jan. 8 news release describes the action plan as a “co-ordinated road map to advance equity, improve access to services and supports, and build safer, more inclusive communities.”
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January 08, 2026
Top Ontario employment law decisions of 2025, part two
2025 was another eventful year in employment law. As with previous years, the enforceability of termination clauses continued to dominate courts’ time, but a more balanced approach to these clauses emerged this past year. We also saw our courts address the duty to mitigate, pre-employment inducement and, right before the holidays, claw back clauses, giving those practising in this area clear guidance on these issues. The following is part two of the top Ontario employment law decisions of 2025.
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January 07, 2026
Ontario courts seek input on disability services
Ontario’s courts are seeking feedback on how to improve services for persons with disabilities. The Ontario Courts Accessibility Committee is asking individuals who have a disability and have used an Ontario courthouse to take a survey on their experience.
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January 07, 2026
Indeterminate sentence upheld despite Gladue appeal
We are all familiar with the fact that trials of Indigenous accused require reviewing what have been called Gladue principles, which can lead to a shorter sentence (R. v. Gladue, [1999] 1 S.C.R. 688). How those principles play out when a court reviews a dangerous offender application was recently the focus of a Saskatchewan Court of Appeal decision (R. v. Sewap, 2025 SKCA 114).
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January 06, 2026
Top Ontario employment law decisions of 2025
2025 was another eventful year in employment law. As with previous years, the enforceability of termination clauses continued to dominate courts’ time, but a more balanced approach to these clauses emerged this past year. We also saw our courts address the duty to mitigate, pre-employment inducement and, right before the holidays, claw back clauses, giving those practising in this area clear guidance on these issues. The following are the top employment law decisions of 2025.
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January 06, 2026
‘Every stone must now be overturned to find this man some hope’: Anita Szigeti to Court of Appeal
An important case was argued before the Ontario Court of Appeal on Jan. 5, 2026. The appellant, Camelott Hamblett, is a middle-aged Black man who has spent half his life locked in a small cell in a maximum-security psychiatric facility. He has had treatment-resistant schizophrenia since his teens and continues to experience highly distressing hallucinations.
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January 05, 2026
New beginnings and embracing service to others
Seneca’s words “Every new beginning comes from another beginning’s end” have resonated for centuries. As we transition to 2026, a remarkable year of renewal and transformation awaits us. This fresh chapter encourages individuals and communities alike to prioritize service, empathy and support as the driving forces behind the evolution of our society.