Legal Criticism Collection

This page hosts a list of Ontario and Canadian case law in need of public criticism, as well as links to critical essays on the subjects included in the list.

Readers are invited to add to the collection by submitting new or existing commentary on topics identified in the following list or by suggesting new topics related to civil liberties in Ontario and Canada.

Defamation Law in Canada

  1. “Keeping Criticism Honest and Civil” by Professor Mark Mercer. Published Oct. 16, 2013, Blog of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Public Affairs.
  2. “Canada Should Reform its Antiquated Libel Laws” by Dan Burnett. Published Oct. 27, 2006, The Lawyer’s Weekly.
  3. “Re-thinking the common law of defamation: striking a new balance between freedom of expression and the protection of the individual’s reputation” by Carolin Anne Bayer. August 2001 LL.M thesis, University of British Columbia.
  4. “Canadian defamation law is noncompliant with international law” by Denis G. Rancourt. Published Feb. 1, 2016, on the OCLA.ca.

Paralegal Profession

  1. “Why the Law Society should not be regulating paralegals” by the Harry Kopyto Defence Committee. Brochure received on Nov. 8, 2013.

Guergis v. Novak et al, 2012 ONSC 4579 (CanLII) (motion to strike  link to ruling)

  1. “An analysis of the Hackland ruling in Guergis v. Novak et al.” by Professor Anatole French. Published Aug. 31, 2012, Activist Teacher blog.

Astley v. Verdun, 2011 ONSC 3651 (CanLII) (defamation  link to ruling)

  • Submissions welcome

Astley v. Verdun, 2013 ONSC 2998 (CanLII) (contempt of court  link to ruling)

  • Submissions welcome

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