Judiciary
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Judicial appointments stir tempest in a teapot
The latest series of judicial appointments to Quebec Superior Court federal Justice Minister Arif Virani have stirred a tempest in a teapot after some French media outlets castigated Justin Trudeau’s government for appointing Liberal donors and supporters to judgeships in Quebec. Continue reading
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Quebec Judicial Council and provincial government still at odds
The Quebec Judicial Council and the Quebec Justice Minister still do not see eye-to-eye. Continue reading
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Quebec municipal court reforms draw mixed reactions from legal community
A comprehensive legislative reform of the municipal court system recently introduced by the Quebec government has drawn mixed reactions, with the legal community applauding the initiative but equally concerned that it may undermine judicial and institutional independence of municipal courts. Continue reading
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SCC to hear appeal over secret criminal trial
The Supreme Court of Canada will hear an appeal from a slew of media organizations challenging confidentiality orders issued in a secret criminal trial, with no paper trail, that was held in Quebec. Continue reading
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Quebec Justice Minister openly derides provincial Judicial Council
Barely a couple of weeks after a special mediator was appointed to settle a fall-out between the Court of Quebec Chief Justice and the Quebec Justice Minister, the minister openly questioned the integrity of the Quebec Judicial Council. Continue reading
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Quebec access to justice bill opens door for notaries to sit on provincial court bench
An access to justice bill that will make free mediation mandatory and arbitration automatic for cases under $5,000 took the Quebec legal community by surprise as it also unexpectedly opens the door for notaries to be appointed to the bench of provincial courts. Continue reading
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Chief Justices call for modernization of court system
The chief justices of four courts broadly outlined their priorities and concerns at the Quebec’s opening of the courts ceremony, from the promise and pitfalls of technology to modernize the justice system to the debilitating impact of chronic underfinancing to the erosion of decorum in the courtroom and the pernicious effects of disparaging social media… Continue reading
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Former Quebec Superior Court Chief Justice reflects on challenges posed by pandemic and lack of resources
After seven years at the helm of Quebec Superior Court, the last two particularly challenging and exhausting, Justice Jacques Fournier has stepped aside Continue reading