All posts filed under: Access to justice

Report urges overhaul of Quebec megatrials

Published by Luis Millán

A cultural change that emphasizes collaboration between all players of Quebec’s criminal justice system is the only way to ensure that costly and unwieldly megatrials do not end up in fiascos, according to a well-received comprehensive report on multi-defendant trials.

The long-awaited 180-page report also urges the Quebec government to provide more resources to the province’s Director of Penal and Criminal Prosecutions (DPCP), recommends that Quebec crown prosecutors limit the number of accused and concentrate their efforts on criminals most involved in serious crimes, advises the creation of a permanent forum for stakeholders to share best practices, proposes that police and prosecutors take management training, and calls on judges to use the powers they have more effectively. All told, the report makes 51 wide-ranging recommendations.

Quebec criminal justice plagued by delays

Published by Luis Millán

Quebec’s justice system will require more money and human resources, need to make more use of technological advances to efficiently deal with routine appearances, and prioritize and encourage timely resolution of cases to be able to curb the unprecedented delays in criminal proceedings, according to the Chief Justice of the Court of Quebec Elizabeth Corte.

University research group ushering justice system into digital age

Published by Luis Millán

An online dispute resolution pilot project to resolve small claims court cases is scheduled to be launched this fall by the Quebec government thanks to efforts by a university research group that wants to usher the justice system into the digital age.

Independence of Quebec administrative judges in question, says report

Published by Luis Millán

An absence of clear rules in the nomination process of Quebec adjudicators allows for partisan influence and compromises their independence.

Code of Civil Procedure being overhauled

Published by Luis Millán

A decade after reforming the Code of Civil Procedure based on the principle of proportionality, Quebec intends to overhaul it once again in order to establish a more rapid, more efficient and less costly civil justice.

Appeal court provides guidance on contempt of court

Published by Luis Millán

The use of contempt of court in civil proceedings will likely diminish over time as judges begin to exercise discretionary powers to redress abuse of process.

Pendulum swings back in favour of issuers in securities class actions

Published by Luis Millán

After a handful of decisions seemingly leaned towards a permissive approach in securities class actions, the pendulum seems to have swung back.

Open data: The value of openness

Published by Luis Millán

Governments are under growing pressure to remove barriers to accessing its public records, and some are embracing the open data movement.

Class actions seemingly alive and well in Quebec

Published by Luis Millán

Class actions appear to be thriving in Quebec. A series of suits launched recently seem to enhance the province’s reputation as a have for class action suits. But that may be illusory.

Quebec Auditor General report questions usage of courthouses

Published by Luis Millán

More than a year after the Quebec auditor general revealed that courthouses in the province are underused, the justice department is still tightlipped over what, if any, progress it has made to remedy the situation.

New indemnity fund proposed following out-of-court settlement in Norbourg class-action

Published by Luis Millán

Days after an agreement in principle was reached in the Norbourg class action suit, opening the door for thousands of investors to recover nearly all the money they lost in one of the biggest investment frauds in the country, questions surrounding the efficacy and scope of investor protection provided by the debt-ridden indemnity fund overseen by Quebec’s financial watchdog have surfaced.

Law in Quebec

News about Quebec legal developments

All posts filed under: Access to justice

Report urges overhaul of Quebec megatrials

Quebec criminal justice plagued by delays

University research group ushering justice system into digital age

Independence of Quebec administrative judges in question, says report

Code of Civil Procedure being overhauled

Appeal court provides guidance on contempt of court

Pendulum swings back in favour of issuers in securities class actions

Open data: The value of openness

Class actions seemingly alive and well in Quebec

Quebec Auditor General report questions usage of courthouses

New indemnity fund proposed following out-of-court settlement in Norbourg class-action