Access to Justice

By: Mackenzie Coleman, University of Alberta Law Student In March, Judge Geoffrey Bayly of the Provincial Court of Manitoba allowed an application for a private prosecution to proceed in Sieklicki v Kostecki.[1] While Crown attorneys are responsible for the prosecution of most criminal offences in Manitoba, section 507.1 of the Criminal Code allows for a private citizen to […]

By Carline Petit-Homme, University of Alberta Law Student Introduction  In 2024, Alberta introduced the streamlined trial process in an effort to improve access to justice by offering a faster and more affordable way to resolve disputes. However, over a year has passed since the amendments were made, and the Alberta Court of King’s Bench (ABKB)

By: Jen M. Kaumeyer, University of Alberta Law Student Legal scholar Gary D Watson[1] has stated that a defining characteristic of Canadian civil procedure is that it ensures maximal fairness. In saying so, he contrasts civil procedure against administrative law, which itself only produces minimal fairness.[2] But what is the meaning of maximal fairness, and how does civil procedure achieve

By: Mackenzie Coleman, University of Alberta Law Student On February 25, 2024, the Honourable Arif Virani, then-Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, released Canada’s Black Justice Strategy’s Implementation Plan titled Toward Transformative Change: An Implementation Plan for Canada’s Black Justice Strategy.[1] The Plan, authored by Winnipeg lawyer Zilla Jones and University of Toronto professor Akwasi

By: Mackenzie Coleman, Law Student at the University of Alberta Earlier this year, Justice Simonsen determined in R v DMS that witness testimony does not necessarily need to be in the courtroom.[1] Justice Simonsen stated that the “trial judge erred by summarily dismissing its application under section 714.1 of the Criminal Code, for an order permitting the complainant to

By: Mackenzie Coleman, Law Student at the University of Alberta In Manitoba, there is a shortage of Crown attorneys due to challenges in hiring and retention.[1] Christian Vanderhooft, president of the Manitoba Association of Crown Attorneys (“MACA”), says that the “government has failed to take meaningful action to address the workload problem for Crown Attorneys

By: Mackenzie Coleman, University of Alberta Law Student Palamar v Palamar, a 2025 Manitoba Court of King’s Bench decision, contemplates the use of the “Drop-Dead Rule” in the context of family litigation.[1] The “Drop-Dead Rule”, Rule 24.04 of the Court of King’s Bench Rules, “requires courts to dismiss actions after a three-year period elapses with no significant

By: Mackenzie Coleman, Law Student – University of Alberta Manitoba Court of King’s Bench Chief Justice Glenn Joyal says that judicial reconciliation remains at the top of the priority list for Manitoban courts.[1] Since the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission report and the 94 calls to action, “there’s been increased focus on systemic racism in provincial