24 J U L Y 2 0 1 6 w w w . C A N A D I A N L a w y e r m a g . c o m
Judges at the country's
and sometimes
chronic challenges head on,
T
he two most high-profile criminal trials in Canada in the past
year were ones that took place in provincial court. The pros-
ecutions of Senator Mike Duffy and former CBC radio host
Jian Ghomeshi were the source of voluminous media coverage
— by national media outlets, on social media, and the subject
of endless commentary by columnists, pundits, and academ-
ics. As well, the courtroom actions and eventual rulings by justices Charles
Vaillancourt and William Horkins were subject to intense scrutiny.
The spotlight was an anomaly though for provincial courts across the country.
More than 95 per cent of criminal cases in Canada are completed in this level of
court, along with some family court responsibilities and smaller civil claims in
By Shannon Kari
winning.
busiest courts are meeting
ALEXEI
VELLA
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Judges at the
busies
