Access to Justice
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April 08, 2024
N.S. Appeal Court releases annual report, 2023
Around a third of those appearing before Nova Scotia’s top court last year were self-represented — an increase from the year before. This is just one of the stats detailed in the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal Annual Report for 2023. Released on April 2, this is the court’s second update of its kind.
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April 05, 2024
P.E.I. increases legal aid eligibility thresholds
In a bid to boost access to justice for struggling residents, Prince Edward Island is raising its thresholds for legal aid eligibility. On March 28, P.E.I.’s government announced that the annual income thresholds would increase to match “market basket measure” (MBM), a move it hopes will “more fairly represent the economic landscape and improve access to justice across the Island.”
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April 04, 2024
Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal float ideas for reforming their rules, seek bar’s input
The Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal are working on updating their rules and seeking the bar’s views on dozens of reform ideas, such as modifying the test for certifying national class actions; green-lighting non-lawyers to represent litigants if “the interests of justice so require”; and boosting the $100,000 cap on claims for matters that proceed as simplified actions.
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April 03, 2024
B.C. proposes amendments to protect renters from bad-faith evictions, unfair rent hikes
British Columbia is set to amend the Residential Tenancy Act to protect renters from bad-faith evictions and rent hikes above the annual allowable rent increase when children are added to the household, according to a government release.
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April 03, 2024
Unseen struggle: Foreign lawyers’ journey to the Canadian bar | Tega Adjara
In the bustling urban landscapes of cities like Toronto and Vancouver, a silent struggle unfolds, hidden beneath the surface of everyday life. It is a tale of resilience, determination and the pursuit of a dream that transcends borders.
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April 03, 2024
Exceptional application asks SCC to reconsider case of Canadians in Northeast Syria | Alex Neve
The prohibition on arbitrary arrest and detention is cornerstone to the rule of law, protected by such safeguards as the obligation to charge anyone who is deprived of their liberty with a recognized offence, provide them with a means to lawfully challenge their imprisonment and guarantee that they will face a prompt, fair trial at which they will be able to defend themselves.
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April 02, 2024
#MeToo in legal profession | Stephanie DiGiuseppe, Laura Metcalfe and Sam Puchala
The Toronto Star recently published an article documenting the sexual harassment and violence women experience in the legal profession. The headline was eye-catching — particularly for lawyers who happen to practise in criminal defence. It read in part: “some say the profession needs its ‘me too’ moment.”
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March 28, 2024
Supreme Court of Canada rules Charter applies to First Nation government and its citizens
The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled 6-1 that the Charter applies to a First Nation government and its citizens in Yukon, as well as ruling 4-3 that the Charter’s s. 25 shields from a community member’s s. 15 equality rights challenge the self-governing Vuntut Gwitchin’s constitutional requirement that its elected leadership must live on the First Nation's traditional territory.
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March 28, 2024
Federal Court provides guidance on use of AI in court proceedings
Notable developments in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) have led to the widespread availability of low- and no-cost generative language tools. These tools appear to offer irresistible benefits to consumers, including lawyers: with a simple prompt, a software program can generate a convincing written output in many different formats, including text that replicates common language found in legal documents.
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March 28, 2024
Encouraging news about employer positive approach to mental health issues | Courtney Mulqueen
Few of us are able to escape workplace stress, but a growing commitment by more employers toward a more preventative approach to mental health issues is a promising sign.