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LawNow 39-6: The Top Court, Self-Represented Litigants

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the-top-court
Canada’s top court is a cornerstone of our Parliamentary democracy and the Rule of Law.  It has shaped our nation since 1875.

Volume 39-6 – July/August 2015

Table of Contents

Featured Articles: The Top Court
Special Report: Self Represented-Litigants
Columns

Featured Articles: The Top Court

Democratic Governance: The Constitution and Canada’s Branches of Government
Lorraine Snyder and Dustin Martin
In order to understand the role of Canada’s top court, it is necessary to understand how it fits within our Constitution.

The Supreme Court of Canada: A History
Hugo Vaillancourt
Canada’s top court has seen many changes since it was first created in 1875.

Judicial Review is Different from Judicial Activism
Charles Davison
Our judges have a duty to review the legitimacy of laws and strike them down if they are contrary to the Constitution.
The Nadon Reference: A Unique Challenge
John Edmond
The recent Reference re Supreme Court Act concerning nominated Justice Marc Nadon was unprecedented in Canadian judicial history.
Top Courts in the U.S. and Canada: A Comparison
Peter Bowal and Jacqueline Bowal

Our top courts reflect each country’s cultural and political differences as our comprehensive chart outlines.

Special Report: Self-Represented Litigants

What Self–Represented Litigants (Actually) Want
Sarah Burton
Here’s a novel idea:  why don’t we ask self-represented litigants what would actually help them!
Small Claims Court: A Venue Made for Self-Represented Litigants
Peter Bowal and Jacqueline Bowal
This court is specifically set up to assist people who want to represent themselves.
The Vexatious Litigant
Trevor Todd and Judith Milliken, QC
Sometimes, self-represented litigants can abuse or misuse the court system so that sanctions are necessary.

 

LawNow 38-6 Bench Marks: Cases that Change the Legal Landscape

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Bench Marks: Cases that Change the Legal Landscape

Featured Articles: Bench Marks: Cases that Change the Legal Landscape

Some decisions our courts make carry the possibility of changing lives (same-sex marriage) and defining our institutions (the Senate).  This issue looks at a few of these “Bench Marks”.
Landmark Cases: Cases which have changed the Legal and Social Landscape of Canada
Some cases have had the effect of changing not only the legal but also the social landscape of Canada. Here is a look at a few of them.
The Increasing Importance of Reference Decisions in Canadian Law
Reference Decisions, from the Senate Question to the Nadon decision, are increasingly important in Canadian jurisprudence.
Supreme Court Reins in Social Credit
This 1938 case has echoed through history with its powerful support for freedom of expression and freedom of the press as necessary aspects of our constitutional democracy.
The Whatcott Case: Balancing Free Speech and Social Harmony
The Whatcott decision highlights the clash of Charter values when evaluating hate speech.

Special Report: Aboriginal Law

Indian Residential Schools: A Chronology
From 1755 to 2014: a timeline of the Residential Schools tragedy.
The Indian Act – Exemption from Taxation
Interpretations and court decisions have shaped the income tax rules for Canada’s aboriginal people.
Aboriginal Children and Child Welfare Policies
The Residential Schools program scarred generations of aboriginal children. Today, child welfare policies have the potential to cause damage too.

Departments

Viewpoint
A Bench Mark case indeed!
Ask a Law Librarian
Researching Aboriginal Law

Columns

Human Rights Law
Human Rights of Transgender Persons
Not-for-Profit Law
New Legislation Eases Moves Into or Out of Alberta for Not-For-Profits
Employment Law
Compassionate Care: A New Basis for Temporary Unpaid Leave from Work
Landlord and Tenant Law
Can a landlord charge a tenant for renovations?
Family Law
Protection Orders in Dangerous Circumstances
A Famous Case Revisited
Whatever Happened to … Childs v. Desormeaux: Killer Hospitality

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Territory Acknowledgement

The Centre for Public Legal Education respectfully acknowledges that we are located across Treaty 4, 6, 7, 8 and 10 territories, and respects the histories, languages, and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.