The BCCLA stands poised to challenge laws in the courts through strategic litigation. The pro bono legal talents of lawyers working on behalf of the BCCLA have been vital to our success in the courts. These pages list the legal documents for the cases.
Synopsis The BCCLA filed a lawsuit in April 2011 to challenge the laws that make it a criminal offense to assist seriously and incurably ill individuals to die with dignity. The legal challenge will seek to allow seriously and incurably … Read More
The BCCLA has launched a lawsuit on behalf of BobbyLee Worm, a 24-year old aboriginal woman originally from Saskatchewan. BobbyLee is a first time offender serving a sentence of 6 years and 4 months in a federal prison for offences … Read More
This appeal concerns an issue that is arising with increasing frequency in the law enforcement context: the legal authority of police to search the contents of a mobile device lawfully seized following an arrest. This case deals with a core … Read More
This case concerns the limits of police authority to search pursuant to a valid warrant, and how computers and electronic devices should be considered when determining the scope of a lawful search. At issue is whether a conventional warrant that … Read More
The case involves Ontario’s Special Investigative Unit (SIU), the civilian agency responsible for conducting independent investigations into incidents involving the use of police force causing death or serious injury. The SIU was formed due to citizens’ concerns about having “police … Read More
This case is an appeal of a decision of the Federal Court of Appeal. In this case, the Supreme Court of Canada will consider whether the government can reject the application of a Canadian citizen who is incarcerated abroad and … Read More
These companion cases deal with the constitutionality of the definition of “terrorist activity” and its operation throughout the terrorism provisions of the Criminal Code. These provisions were enacted shortly after the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, … Read More
This case involves the question of how the expanded regime governing forfeiture of “offence-related property” in the Criminal Code should apply in the context of sentencing. At issue is whether a judge is empowered to consider the “totality of the … Read More
This case involves the question of whether a court’s jurisdiction to appoint amicus curiae entails an incidental power to require that the Crown remunerate an amicus on terms defined by the court. The BCCLA is an intervener in the case. … Read More
This case involves the retrospective application of the Abolition of Early Parole Act, which eliminated accelerated parole review and accelerated day parole under the Corrections and Conditional Release Act. The BCCLA is an intervener in the case. Of concern to … Read More
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