The Canadian Legal System

Summary of Objectives To provide the historical background to Canadian law To identify sources of Canadian law To introduce the concept of legal jurisdiction To compare and contrast criminal and civil legal procedures 2

What is Law? A formally enacted or customary body of rules recognized as binding on people within a state or a community Enforcement of the set of rules is part of their design in a politically organized society. 3

Purposes of Law To maintain the integrity of state boundaries To maintain law and order To protect citizens from each other and from abuse of power by government officials To provide a forum for dispute resolution between citizens or between citizens and government To establish and maintain standards relating to areas such as health, education and employment 4

Divisions of Law Public law – associated with government and the public interest Private law – associated with interpersonal matters Criminal law – protection of the political security of the state and its citizens Civil law – non-criminal resolution of disputes Substantive law – rights and remedies Procedural law – the procedures through which substantive rights are protected 5

Canadian Governmental Hierarchy The sovereign, Queen Elizabeth II Federal parliament (House of Commons and Senate) Provincial or territorial legislatures Municipal governments 6

Players in the Legal System Legislators – elected Judges – appointed Jurors – chosen from citizens who have never been convicted of an indictable criminal offence Lawyers – must have achieved a law degree and been “called to the bar” in order to practise law Clients Police 7

Federal Courts Supreme Court of Canada – nine federally appointed justices with jurisdiction to hear all criminal, civil and constitutional cases Federal Court of Canada – trial and appeal divisions with jurisdiction to hear, for example, cases on patents, copyright, trademark, aeronautics, maritime law, inter provincial and federal-provincial disputes 8

Federal Courts 2 Tax Court of Canada Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada – military Court of Canadian Citizenship 9

Provincial Courts Superior Courts of the Province – federally appointed judges with jurisdiction to hear, for example, indictable offence cases like murder or treason under the Criminal Code, divorce cases, civil cases above the ceiling for small claims, and administrative law applications from boards and tribunals 10

Provincial Courts Provincial Courts – judges are provincially appointed with jurisdiction to hear, for example, less serious Criminal Code offences, support and custody applications in family law, youth court issues and small claims cases 11

Provincial Courts 2 Provincial Boards, Commissions and Tribunals – specialty quasi-judicial bodies with jurisdiction that includes, for example, liquor licensing, employment standards and labour relations 12

Civil Court Procedure 5 Stages: Pleadings Discoveries Pre trial or mediation Trial Appeal 13

Pleadings Plaintiff files statement of claim and has it personally served on defendant Defendant responds with statement of defence Defendant may also counterclaim against defendant, crossclaim against co-defendant, and bring third party claim against someone not a party to the lawsuit Plaintiff responds with reply or statement of defence to the counterclaim 14

Copyright © 2007 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited Discoveries Purpose is to identify all facts, issues and evidence prior to trial Each party examines the other under oath. A certified reporter records the questions and answers and prepares a transcript of them. Each party must list all documents relevant to the case and the names of witnesses who will be called. Copyright © 2007 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited 15

Copyright © 2007 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited Pretrial or Mediation Purpose is to settle before trial or reduce the number of issues at trial If a pretrial occurs, that judge is disqualified from proceeding at the actual trial. In some provinces or territories, mediation is mandatory. Copyright © 2007 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited 16

Copyright © 2007 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited Trial Plaintiff makes opening statement and presents case. Plaintiff’s witnesses are examined in chief, and cross-examined by defendant Defendant presents defence in chief, and plaintiff cross-examines. Plaintiff must prove case on a balance of probabilities. Copyright © 2007 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited 17

Copyright © 2007 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited Appeals Appeals of civil cases are not granted automatically. Appeals are usually limited to cases where there was an error of law, not of fact. Copyright © 2007 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited 18

Copyright © 2007 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited Criminal Procedure Purpose is to protect against acts that threaten the security of a person or the state Types of offences: summary conviction (minor), indictable (serious), and hybrid (the Crown chooses whether to proceed summarily or by indictment) The Crown must prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Copyright © 2007 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited 19

Criminal Court Procedure First step is arraignment If plea is “not guilty,” the case proceeds to trial. Depending on the charge, the accused may choose trial by jury or by judge alone. Crown calls prosecution’s witnesses and examines in chief. Defence may cross-examine. If Crown does not meet the burden of proof, the presumption of innocence applies. Copyright © 2007 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited 20