Supreme Court of Canada Calendar of Upcoming Hearings in May 2023

The Supreme Court of Canada recently published its calendar of upcoming appeals that will be heard in May 2023.

To find out more about any particular case, click on the docket number in parentheses next to each case name to find docket information, case summaries as well as factums from the parties. 

Geek in Review Podcast Interview on the Impact of CaseText’s CoCounsel on Law and Technology

The most recent episode of the Geek in Review Podcast co-hosted by Greg Lambert and Marlene Gebauer is available.

Lambert is a former president of the American Association of Law Libraries.

The podcast features a discussion with legal technology experts ⁠Pablo Arredondo⁠, ⁠Evan Shenkman⁠, and ⁠Darth Vaughn⁠:

"They discuss their proactive approach to incorporating AI technology, specifically ⁠CaseText’s CoCounsel⁠, into their legal practice and business operations."

"Pablo shares, 'I think the law is such a fascinating space for this kind of AI because it really brings together two things that are really deep in the human experience, which is language and rules.' The guests discuss their experiences in using CoCounsel and its features, such as the ChatGPT feature, which enables them to draft and review documents more efficiently. Evan emphasizes, 'The tools are there, and the more that we can sort of get folks up to speed on this stuff, and really help them understand how to use the tools, the better we’re all going to be'." (...)

"The discussion also touches on access to justice issues and how tools like CoCounsel can potentially help bridge the justice gap. By being intentional in utilizing AI technology to assist in pro bono cases, they believe it is possible to make a significant impact on improving access to legal services for those in need."

 

May/June 2023 Issue of AALL Spectrum

The May/June 2023 issue of AALL Spectrum is now available online.

It is a publication of the American Association of Law Libraries.

This issue has a series of feature articles on new legal technologies.

LawBytes Podcast on Federal Court Ruling on Facebook and Privacy

In the most recent LawBytes podcast, University of Ottawa law professor Michael Geist talks with his colleague Teresa Scassa about a recent Federal Court decision that ruled for Facebook in case with many privacy law implications:

"The controversy over Facebook and Cambridge Analytica was back in the spotlight in Canada as the Federal Court sided with Facebook and against the Privacy Commissioner of Canada in a decision arising from a 2019 investigation into the matter. The Privacy Commissioner ruled against Facebook in 2019, but Facebook disagreed with the findings, took the matter to court, and won. What lies behind the decision and what does it mean for privacy in Canada? My colleague Teresa Scassa, who holds the Canada Research Chair In Information Law, is widely regarded as one of Canada’s leading privacy law experts. She posted on the decision soon after its release and joins the Law Bytes podcast to talk about the ruling and its broader implications."

Geek in Review Podcast Interview with Lexis CTO Jeff Reihl on Future of AI

The most recent episode of the Geek in Review Podcast co- hosted by Greg Lambert and Marlene Gebauer is available.

Lambert is a former president of the American Association of Law Libraries.

The podcast features a discussion with ⁠Jeff Reihl⁠, the Executive Vice President, and Chief Technology Officer at LexisNexis. 

The episode covers the current state of AI and its relevance to the legal and research sector:

"During Reihl’s sixteen years at LexisNexis he witnessed many innovations such as the nearly universal adoption of iPhone and other mobile products, cloud computing, and document automation, but the speed a acceleration around Generative AI tool like GPT 4.0, Bing, Bard, and others is causing even the big players in the legal industry to quickly adjust to the demands of the market. Jeff highlighted the flexibility and benefits of LexisNexis’ technology, which can provide valuable insights and information to its users on-demand. The organization generates and applies AI-enabled insights that assist users in finding, evaluating, and curating content more quickly and effectively. Jeff went on to explain how AI technology is helping lawyers reduce research time and increase accuracy in creating legal documents. In conclusion, Jeff explained that LexisNexis is committed to promoting innovation in the legal field by utilizing innovative technology solutions to advance research and meet the growing research demand, thereby improving legal professionals’ efficiency and accuracy."

Canadian Federation of Library Associations Spring 2023 Update

The Canadian Federation of Library Associations (CFLA) has published an update about its recent activities.

The Canadian Association of Law Libraries is a member of the Federation.

The update includes news about advocacy activities on behalf of the Canadian library community; cataloguing ethics; positions on copyright and artificial intelligence, Crown copyright, and controlled digital lending; challenged books; bursaries and scholarships; and more.

April 2023 Issue of In Session E-Bulletin of Canadian Association of Law Libraries

The April 2023 issue of In Session has been published.

It is the monthly e-newsletter of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries (CALL) and contains news from CALL committees and special interest groups, member updates and events. 

Canadian Association of Law Libraries 2023 Conference Program Now Available

The Canadian Association of Law Libraries (CALL) will hold its annual conference in Hamilton, Ontario from Sunday, May 28th to Wednesday, May 31, 2023.

The conference program is now available.

Statistics Canada Article on Gender-related Homicide of Women and Girls

Juristat, a Statistics Canada publication, recently published an article on Gender-related homicide of women and girls in Canada.

The article analyzes police-reported data of homicides involving women and girls who were killed by an intimate partner, family member, within the context of sex work as well as those who experienced sexual violence. Some data on the attempted murder of women and girls are also presented. 

As the text explains, although most homicide victims are men and boys, women and girls are disproportionately killed by someone they know, namely an intimate partner or a family member.

Among the article's highlights:

• Between 2011 and 2021, police reported 1,125 gender-related homicides of women and girls in Canada. Of these homicides, two-thirds (66%) were perpetrated by an intimate partner, 28% a family member, 5% a friend or acquaintance and the remaining 1% a stranger.
• While the rate of gender-related homicide of women and girls has generally declined since 2001, there was a 14% increase between 2020 and 2021 (from 0.48 to 0.54 victims per 100,000 women and girls), marking the highest rate recorded since 2017.
• In 2021, the rate of gender-related homicide in Canada was more than 2.5 times greater in rural areas compared to urban areas (1.13 versus 0.44 per 100,000 women and girls).
• Between 2011 and 2021, of all gender-related homicides of women and girls, the largest proportion died by stabbing (34%). About four times as many victims of gender-related homicide died of strangulation, smothering or drowning (17%) compared to victims of non-gender-related homicides (4%).
• One-third (32%) of gender-related homicides of women and girls were reported by police as motivated primarily by the accused’s anger, frustration or despair, almost triple the proportion found among non-gender-related homicides (12%).
• Over the 11-year period (i.e., 2011 to 2021), one in five (21%) persons accused of a gender-related homicide where at least one woman or girl was killed resulted in the suicide of the accused, seven times higher than what was found among persons accused of committing a non-gender-related homicide (3%). 
• Data between 2011 and 2021 show that of all gender-related homicides of women and girls, 21% (n=233) of victims were Indigenous, despite comprising only 5% of the female population in Canada in 2021.
• Between 2011 and 2021, the largest proportion of gender-related attempted murders of women and girls occurred at residential locations, involved the presence of a weapon and resulted in physical injury.

Canadian Bar Association Podcast on the Canadian Charter and Gender Equality Rights

In the most recent Modern Law podcast on the Canadian Bar Association website, host Yves Faguy speaks with law professor Kerri A. Froc about gender equality rights, the notwithstanding clause and why the Supreme Court’s composition matters:

"For the past 41 years, Section 28 of the Charter has required that the rights and freedoms guaranteed in it be implemented without discrimination between the sexes. But counterintuitively, as our latest guest Kerri Froc reminds us, s. 28 has rarely been used in practice to secure women’s equality. Indeed, successful challenges before the courts involving women as claimants have mostly been argued based on  s. 15, which sets out the right to equal protection and equal benefit of the law for all without discrimination."

"But s. 28 has been argued in the challenge against Bill 21, Quebec’s secularism law, which prohibits Quebec citizens who work in public service from wearing religious symbols and which some argue affords unequal treatment to women -- Muslim women in particular."

"That's the jumping-off point of our wide-ranging Charter discussion today with Froc, who is an Associate Professor at UNB Law. We also discuss the notwithstanding clause, medical assistance in dying, and the increasing use of social science evidence in our courts."

"Froc is also a Trudeau and Vanier Scholar. She has taught courses at Carleton University, Queen’s University, and the University of Ottawa on feminist legal theory and various aspects of public law."

Canadian Lawyer Magazine Interview With Eugene Meehan of Supreme Advocacy LLP

The magazine Canadian Lawyer recently published an interview with Eugene Meehan of Supreme Advocacy LLP.

Meehan is a veteran observer of the Supreme Court of Canada. The interview covered many issues, including how the country's top court has been evolving in recent years:

"Do you think the SCC is sufficiently transparent?
For a judicial institution, the Supreme Court is appropriately transparent. They release statistics, hold annual press briefings, and provide a regular flow of information about their operations through multiple channels. Compared to other public institutions, some may see the SCC as a bit reticent of what is expected today regarding full transparency. However, the judiciary has one hand tied behind its back: judges have the obligation of restraint, and public statements are generally frowned upon; any information released regarding the court or a judge could be seen to interfere with judicial independence."

"The chief justice has made great strides in transparency and getting the court outside Ottawa. News releases about judges may remain few, but the SCC may be more proactive in circumstances affecting its core operations."

Statistics Canada Findings on Confidence in the police, the justice system and courts

A few weeks ago, Statistics Canada reported on the level of confidence of different population groups in the Federal Parliament, the justice system and courts, the police, and the Canadian media:

"Having a high level of confidence in the Federal Parliament, the justice system and courts, the police, and the Canadian media can be seen as a vital measure for assessing the health of democracy in Canada. Confidence in these institutions reflects the sense that they are safe, effective, transparent and accountable."

"From October 2022 to January 2023, about two-thirds (67%) of Canadians reported having a high level of confidence in the police. This was a greater proportion than other institutions, such as the justice system and courts (51%), the Federal Parliament (36%) and the Canadian media (33%)."

"In the context of increased diversity and immigration being the main driver of population growth in Canada, it is relevant to investigate if different groups of the population share these views similarly."

"Using preliminary data from the Survey Series on People and their Communities, this report examines whether racialized and non-racialized, non-Indigenous people in Canada have differing levels of confidence in public institutions ..."

Among the findings:

• Most racialized groups report higher levels of confidence in the justice system and courts than non-racialized, non-Indigenous people
• Southeast Asian, Black and Japanese people are less likely to report confidence in police
• Recent immigrants are most likely to report high level of confidence in the Canadian media and the Federal Parliament

Supreme Court of Canada Calendar of Upcoming Hearings in April 2023

The Supreme Court of Canada recently published its calendar of upcoming appeals that will be heard in April 2023.

To find out more about any particular case, click on the docket number in parentheses next to each case name to find docket information, case summaries as well as factums from the parties.