Across Canada, the promise of accessible justice too often ends at the courthouse door. While our legal frameworks—from the Charter to provincial human rights codes—declare that people with disabilities deserve equal treatment in court, the reality on the ground tells another story. Inconsistent practices, unclear processes, and invisible barriers routinely frustrate the ability of litigants with disabilities—especially those who are self-represented—to participate fully in legal proceedings.

In my research on disability and access to justice, one conclusion became unavoidable: without dedicated institutional roles to oversee and facilitate accessibility in courts, equity will remain aspirational. It’s time for Canada to appoint . . . [more]

After I wrote this column but before it went to press, my colleague Brandon Trask of UManitoba posted a similar column to the RobsonCrim blog. To the extent that I repeat some points he’s made, that repetition is valuable and worthwhile. I encourage readers to check it out.

What should and must a lawyer do when their client, or the representative of their client, attacks judges and large unidentified swaths of the entire bench? What if the lawyer is standing next to them when they do so? What if the lawyer is the Attorney General and the speaker is the . . . [more]

Authoritarian attacks on foundational principles of the rule of law have escalated in the United States since President Trump’s inauguration. This column expands on my previous column and looks at the role of Christian religious nationalists who have joined politicians and billionaires in the Trump administration’s mission to dominate every branch of the US government and civil society, and to invert the rule of law in North America and globally.

Religious nationalism in a global context

Historical records are strewn with tragic results of entanglements among religious, economic, and imperial powers. Those whose lands, resources, and cultures have been overtaken . . . [more]

Renowned for its dysfunction, the leadership of the Ontario Superior Court deserves some credit for belatedly admitting the court to be in crisis. Acknowledging the need for bold, fundamental reforms it tasked the Civil Rules Working (Working Group) with identifying ways to reduce complexity, costs and delays and stated that “minor amendments (to the Rules) would be insufficient.” Despite that mandate, the Working Group in their Phase 2 Consultation Paper has proposed implementing further rules and procedures, changing a handful of existing Rules and rearranging the balance. One step forward, two steps back.

Handicapping the Working Group

Initially, the Working . . . [more]

As the April federal election approaches, an issue that has receded from the public consciousness is the significant loss of social legislation upon the prorogation of Parliament that preceded the Liberal Leadership Convention. Such pauses are commonplace, but in this instance, it drew widespread criticism across strata of society due to the threat of unprovoked economic warfare from the Trump administration and the number of government bills that died on the order paper.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada, for example, criticized the government for failing to pass the pension fairness measures and tax breaks promised in the 2024 . . . [more]

A recent CBC article from British Columbia indicated that a self-represented party used Microsoft Copilot to assist with legal research: the artificial intelligence (AI) program generated 10 cases, nine of which were hallucinated. The hallucinated cases were ‘caught’ during a proceeding at the Civil Resolution Tribunal, but this incident and the possibility of others like it raises challenging questions for access to justice. It can be assumed that public-facing AI will continue to gain ground as a means of providing legal information and assistance, and as that happens, there will be more examples of hallucinated cases making their way into . . . [more]

A few weeks ago, I went to the dentist for the first time in years—thanks to finally having work benefits. I expected a routine cleaning, some X-rays, and maybe a reminder to floss more. Instead, the appointment took an unexpected turn when the dentist launched into a sales pitch for Invisalign.

At 29, with relatively straight teeth, I’d never been told I needed any kind of teeth straightening. Yet, almost immediately, I was shown an AI-generated “after” image that looked nearly identical to my current teeth. The dentist admitted the difference was minimal but claimed it might help protect my . . . [more]

At first glance, access to justice (A2J) might seem more relevant to areas like family, criminal, or poverty law. But through my unique position as both an Osgoode Hall Law School JD/MBA student and a research assistant for the Canadian Forum on Civil Justice (CFCJ), I’ve come to recognize a crucial and sometimes overlooked intersection between A2J and business law. That is: the challenges people face in accessing justice are not confined to traditionally “personal” legal matters. Everyday legal problems—ranging from contract disputes to consumer rights challenges—are deeply intertwined with business law, shaping both individual experiences and the broader economy. . . . [more]

The Rule of Law is like the oxygen in the air: we don’t notice it until we are having trouble breathing. Today, we watch as Americans struggle to breathe as the Rule of Law is under threat. It is time for all Canadian legal organizations to take stock and reinforce our protections of the Rule of Law.

Here in Canada, most Canadians likely either do not know or may not appreciate the role that CanLII plays in maintaining the Rule of Law in our country.

In the Quebec Secession Reference (1998), the Supreme Court of Canada identified the Rule of . . . [more]

Donald J. Trump’s second term as President of the United States has stunned the world. Commentators increasingly say the US has now crossed the Rubicon into authoritarian territory.

While some say Trump’s actions are erratic, a closer look reveals a methodical attempt by his administration to dismantle a broad range of US institutions and agencies and to suffocate international institutions, universal human rights, and the rule of law. The breakneck speed, scope, and impact of the Trump administration’s actions through Executive Orders and directives has created a chaotic atmosphere of uncertainty and fear around the world.

Checks and balances . . . [more]

Have you ever glanced into a passerby’s stroller, anticipating the sight of a cooing baby, only to lock eyes with a chihuahua or a pomeranian instead? In Canada’s urban centers, this sort of scene is no longer out of the ordinary. In many households around the world, pets are starting to be seen less as property, and more as family members. This newfound status is reflected in everything from gourmet pet food to elaborate birthday parties (guilty as charged). With over 60 percent of Canadian households now including at least one pet, the bond between humans and their animals has . . . [more]

As we contemplate 2025, the NSRLP is considering how to tackle the ongoing challenges in access to justice. While the barriers facing individuals attempting to access justice remain many, it is challenging to consider where the focus on improving access should be directed, given limited resources and capacity. Moreover, the coming year is likelier than not to have a fair share of political, social, and economic upheaval, all of which may also serve to impact access to justice in both anticipated and unanticipated ways. Thus, thinking about where the NSRLP goes next is a necessary exercise, and one requiring flexibility . . . [more]