Duty of fairness

Truth vs. Fairness in Sentencing: Lessons from R v Di Paola

In the decision of R v Di Paola, 2025 SCC 31 the Supreme Court of Canada examined how s. 725(1)(c) of the Criminal Code should be interpreted during sentencing. The issue was whether a sentencing judge may consider, as aggravating factors, facts that could constitute a separate offence when that charge has already been laid but is no longer pending and has no rendered verdict. The Court’s decision clarifies both the scope of this provision and the Crown’s duty of fairness in presenting aggravating facts during sentencing.

To delay or not to delay? SCC ponders in Law Society of Saskatchewan v Abrametz

It is widely known that the Canadian court systems are generally plagued by delay for many reasons such as lack of resources, high volume of cases, etc. During COVID-19, it was observed that delay was further exacerbated due to lockdowns, which created additional barriers to access to justice. In contrast, administrative law and administrative decision-makers […]

Highwood Congregation v Wall: Decisions About the World’s Greatest Hockey Player are Not Subject to Judicial Review

Highwood Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (Judicial Committee) v Wall, 2018 SCC 26 [Wall, 2018 SCC], examined which kinds of decision-making bodies are subject to judicial review for procedural fairness. A recent line of decisions had suggested that, under certain conditions, some private actors (such as political parties, churches, and soccer clubs) may be subject to the […]