The National Action Committee on Access to Justice in Civil and Family Matters (NAC) is proud to host its inaugural national conference on access to justice research:Advancing People‑Centred Justice in Canada: Data Sharing and Knowledge Building. The event will take place May 26–28, 2026, at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law Invitation to Participate:We’re […]
Author: Erin Jeon, University of Manitoba Law Student Crime in Winnipeg decreased for the second straight year, according to the recent 2024 Winnipeg Police Service (“WPS”) statistical report. The volume of crimes decreased by 0.8% from 2023, driven primarily by reductions in violent crime (-1.4%) and property crimes (-2.3%). Additionally, the overall severity of crime
Crime is Down in Winnipeg–But No One Knows Exactly Why Read More »
Authors: Dr. Gerard Kennedy & Erin Jeon A poll from the Angus Reid Institute (ARI) last autumn casts interesting insights on the perception of the Supreme Court of Canada in Canada’s constitutional order. The majority of Canadians (62%) believe the Supreme Court to be impartial, versus 22% who consider Canada’s highest court to be “biased.”
Canadians Genuinely Have Trust in the Supreme Court – But There Are Warning Signs Read More »
Author: Erin Jeon, University of Manitoba Law Student Prisons have notoriously low literacy rates. Low literacy logically contributes to high recidivism rates. Not only is reading necessary for essential tasks such as finding housing and employment, but it also helps to develop critical thinking and self-reflection skills. One of the main ways literacy in prisons
Oh, the Places You’ll Go: Prison Libraries Across the Globe Read More »
By Erica Kim, University of Alberta Law Student The recent proliferation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) use has extended to the legal context. AI is increasingly being used to facilitate legal research, translation, and drafting of court documents.[1] This increase in AI use is particularly relevant when considering access to justice. Access to justice can be
Using AI to Draft Pleadings: Balancing Access to Justice with Civil Procedure Read More »
By: Jacob Willms, University of Alberta Law Student Modern-day judicial systems simply do not have the resources to hear every conflict brought before them, and this problem is only made worse by vexatious litigants. Generally, vexatious litigants are those who waste the court’s resources by launching frivolous, vexatious, or abusive proceedings, improperly conducting litigation, or
Is it time for Alberta to change its perspective on Vexatious Litigation Orders? Read More »
By: Teanna Winsor-Carruthers, University of Alberta Law Student On February 28, 2025, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) in Saskatchewan (Environment) v. Métis Nation – Saskatchewan released a judgment that clarified ambiguous aspects of the abuse of process doctrine.[1] The particularities of this case are unique, as it involves a province bringing a motion to strike portions of
By: Jenna Sabroe, University of Alberta Law Student The COVID-19 pandemic created various barriers to access to justice within the realm of civil litigation. Courts became bogged down, lawsuits faced significant delays in proceeding, and social distancing mandates created difficulty in progressing files through the traditional discovery processes. Despite these hardships, there was also an
Keep Up or Get Left Behind: Examination for Discovery in the Post-COVID Context Read More »
By: Amaan Suleman, University of Alberta Law Student The Facts In January of 2022, WestJet refused to let Andrew Douglas, a 72 year old retired chemist from Ontario, board his flight to Cuba. They claimed he did not have required travel documents; specifically, that he did not have proof of a negative COVID test. Unbeknownst
The Price of Silence: Douglas v WestJet Airlines Read More »
By: Chaein Lee, University of Alberta Law Student The overarching goals of civil litigation include resolving disputes and compensating wronged parties. However, this does not always necessitate a courtroom. In an overburdened justice system fraught with delays, we encourage parties to resolve disputes privately when possible. Settlement privilege – a common law principle that protects
Settlement Privilege: A Shield or a Sword for Access to Justice? Read More »
