judges

July 2, 2019

The Five-Judge Myth

How many Supreme Court judges does it take to decide a civil law appeal? Continue reading

The Justice System

civil law, judges, Québec, Supreme Court of Canada
June 3, 2019

Two-Headed Judges

By Peter McCormick If several judges on the Supreme Court of Canada suddenly sprouted two heads in their annual official photo, we would certainly take notice and would be looking for an explanation. But something similar has actually taken place in Supreme Court decisions without attracting either focused attention or a search for the reason why. More Continue reading

Guest Posts, The Justice System

co-authorship, judges, judging, Supreme Court of Canada
April 18, 2019

Why Governments Are Not Angels

The SNC-Lavalin affair reveals serious challenges to the functioning of all three branches of the Canadian government Continue reading

Administrative Law, Constitutional Theory, Political philosophy

executive power, judges, Parliament, politics, separation of powers, SNC-Lavalin
April 8, 2019

End of a Scandal

An attempt to criminalize criticism of New Zeand’s judges is rejected by a parliamentary select committee Continue reading

Constitutional law, The Justice System

contempt of court, courts, freedom of expression, judges, New Zealand, presumption of innocence
March 11, 2019

Our Pythic Judges: SNC-Lavalin

In Ancient Greece, travelers from far and wide descended upon the Oracle at Delphi. Known collectively as the Pythia, these priestesses or women of Delphi, over generations, provided advice and counsel to anyone wishing to seek it. The Pythia were thought to channel the god Apollo. As the mythology of the Pythia grew, with kings Continue reading

Constitutional law, The Justice System

judges, retired judges, SNC-Lavalin
January 10, 2019

The Canadian Legal Mandarinate

Why we ran the 12 Days of Christmas symposium Continue reading

Administrative Law, Constitutional Theory, Uncategorized

judges, judicial power, Supreme Court of Canada
November 6, 2018

Delusions of Grandeur

Justice Abella sets out a vision of the Supreme Court as arbiter of national values Continue reading

Constitutional Theory, The Justice System

Charter, judges, judicial power, judicial review, Supreme Court of Canada, values
October 10, 2018

The Joke’s On Us

Canadians ought to care about who gets on the Supreme Court Continue reading

The Justice System

Canada, judges, judicial appointments, judicial power, Supreme Court of Canada
August 13, 2018

Quis Custodiet?

If judges are the guardians of our constitutional values, they need to be guarded too, as Chief Justice McLachlin’s example shows Continue reading

Constitutional law, The Justice System

Canada, judges, judicial power, McLachlin, Supreme Court of Canada
June 13, 2018

Scandalizing!

Read Edward Willis’ and my submission on legislation that would censor criticism of the judiciary Continue reading

Constitutional law, The Justice System

contempt of court, courts, freedom of conscience, freedom of expression, judges, New Zealand, presumption of innocence