Justice Efficiencies and Access to the Justice System

• Report on the Self-represented accused
• Report on Jury Reform
• Mega-trials
• Effective Case Management
• Early case Consideration

Report on the Self-represented accused

Many criminal justice system stakeholders, and the Right Honourable Chief Justice of Canada, Beverley McLachlin, have publicly spoken of the special challenge that unrepresented accused pose to our justice system.

Legal aid plans are available to those who qualify and help ensure that our justice system remains fair and effective. However, responsibility for facilitating the access to justice of self-represented accused and improving the effectiveness of these cases is shared by all criminal justice system participants. At their October 2006 meeting, FPT Ministers Responsible for Justice mandated the Steering Committee to study this issue and report back to them.

The Report on Self-Represented Accused proposes best practices in areas such as pre-trial procedures; evidentiary disclosure; judicial case management; and trial procedures. It was approved by FPT Ministers at their October 2010 meeting.

Report On The Self-Represented Accused, [Printable Version (PDF, 190 KB, PDF Help)]

Report on Jury Reform

From the early stages of the creation of the Steering Committee on Justice Efficiencies and Access to the Justice System, examining the need for jury trial reform in Canada was identified as a priority issue. The Steering Committee therefore created a smaller Working Group with a mandate to identify the difficulties associated with conducting criminal jury trials, examine the issues, and develop recommendations to the Steering Committee for making jury trials more efficient. Federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for justice approved the Report on Jury Reform from the Steering Committee at their October 2009 annual meeting.

Report on Jury Reform [Printable Version (PDF, 190 KB, PDF Help)]

Mega-trials

In January 2005, the Steering Committee's Final Report on Mega-trials was considered by FPT Ministers Responsible for Justice.  After discussion, Ministers agreed with the recommendations from the Steering Committee and referred the Report to Justice Canada for the detailed policy work necessary to move the initiative forward and for further consultations.  With this decision of Ministers, this phase of the Steering Committee's work is concluded and the matter is now in the hands of the Department of Justice.

It is also important to note that the Final Report on Mega-trials does not necessarily reflect the official views of the organizations represented on the Steering Committee.

Final Report on Mega-trials of the Steering Committee on Justice Efficiencies and Access to the Criminal Justice System [Printable Version (PDF, 90 KB, PDF Help)

Effective Case Management

In November 2005, FPT Ministers Responsible for Justice agreed to the Steering Committee's Report on the Management of Cases Going to Trial. With this decision of Ministers, this phase of the Steering Committee's work is concluded. Provinces and territories will consider strategies to implement recommendations where appropriate.

It is important to note that the Report on the Management of Cases Going to Trial does not necessarily reflect the official views of the organizations represented on the Steering Committee.

Report on the Management of Cases Going to Trial [Printable Version (PDF, 58 KB, PDF Help)]

Early Case Consideration

In October 2006, Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Justice accepted the Steering Committee's Report on Early Case Consideration. With this decision of Ministers, this phase of the Steering Committee's work is concluded. Participants in the criminal justice system will consider strategies to implement the Report's recommendations.

It is important to note that the Report on Early Case Consideration does not necessarily reflect the official views of the organizations represented on the Steering Committee.

Report on Early Case Consideration of the Steering Committee on Justice Efficiencies and Access to the Justice System [Printable Version (PDF, 132 KB, PDF Help)]