View source for Right to Make Full Answer and Defence

{{LevelZero}}{{HeaderPFJ}}
==General Principles==
{{seealso|Principles of Fundamental Justice}}

Anyone accused of a criminal charge has the right to know the case against them and put forward a defence. In addition to being a principle of fundamental justice, the right to Full Answer and Defence (FAD) is protected by the right to a fair trial under section 11(d) of the ''Charter''.<Ref>
{{CanLIIR|Quintero-Gelvez|hx2mh|2019 ABCA 17 (CanLII)}}{{TheCourtABCA}}{{atL|hx2mh|7}} ("The principles of fundamental justice include the right to a fair trial and to make full answer and defence. )
</ref>

; Purpose of Full Answer and Defence
Its purpose is to "ensure that the innocent are not convicted".<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Stinchcombe|1fsgp|1991 CanLII 45 (SCC)|, [1991] 3 SCR 326}}{{perSCC|Sopinka J}}</ref>

; Meaning of Right to Full Answer and Defence
"Full answer and defence" (FAD) encompasses a number of things, including the right to counsel (also see section 10), the right to examine witnesses, and most importantly, the right to full disclosure by the Crown.<ref>
{{ibid1|Stinchcombe}}</ref>

Right to FAD is not so broad as to give "right to pursue every conceivable tactic to be used in defending oneself against criminal prosecution".<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Quesnelle|g7xds|2014 SCC 46 (CanLII)|, [2014] 2 SCR 390}}{{perSCC|Karakatsanis J}}{{atL|g7xds|64}}<br>
</ref>
Nor is it so broad as to create an entitlement to "rules and procedures most likely to result in a finding of innocence". It entitles an accused to "rules and procedures which are fair in the manner in which they enable the accused to defend against and answer the Crown's case."<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Rose|1fqq5|1998 CanLII 768 (SCC)| (1998), 129 CCC (3d) 449 (SCC)}}{{perSCC|Cory, Iacobucci and Bastarache JJ}}{{atp|99}}<br>
</ref>

The impairment of full answer and defence is not limited to the accused's ability to respond to the merits of the case but also the ability to make "process-oriented" challenge to the proceedings.<ref>
{{CanLIIR|Sandeson|j89pm|2020 NSCA 47 (CanLII)}}{{perNSCA|Farrar JA}}
</ref>

; Right to a Fair Trial
The right to a fair trial and the principles of fundamental justice "do not guarantee defence counsel the right to precisely the same privileges and procedures as the Crown and the police".<ref>
{{supra1|Quesnelle}}{{atL|g7xds|64}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Mills|1fqkl|1999 CanLII 637 (SCC)|, [1999] 3 SCR 668}}{{perSCC|McLachlin and Iacobucci JJ}}
</ref> 

A fair trial must not only be fair but also "one which is perceived to have been conducted fairly".<Ref>
{{CanLIIR|Switzer|g6hjm|2014 ABCA 129 (CanLII)}}{{TheCourtABCA}}{{atL|g6hjm|5}}<br>
{{supra1|Quintero-Gelvez}}{{atL|hx2mh|7}}
</ref>

A fair trial does not always require a an accused to physically confront a witness in person.<ref>
{{CanLIIR|Schertzer|fvsgb|2010 ONSC 6686 (CanLII)}}{{perONSC|Pardu J}}{{atL|fvsgb|37}}<Br>
</ref>

Consideration of whether an accused's rights have been infringed "encompasses ... considerations, such as the rights of witnesses,...the rights of accused and courts' duties to ascertain the truth". It also includes interests of society.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Levogiannis|1frxq|1993 CanLII 47 (SCC)|, [1993] 4 SCR 475}}{{perSCC|L'Heureux-Dube J}}<br>
</ref>

{{reflist|2}}

===History===
The right to full answer and defence pre-existed the Charter. The Criminal Code, 1953-54 (Can.), c. 51, in contained s. 709(1) which stated:
{{quotation1|
; Evidence on Commission
; Order appointing commissioner
709 (1) A party to proceedings by way of indictment or summary conviction may apply for an order appointing a commissioner to take the evidence of a witness who
:(a) is, by reason of
::(i) physical disability arising out of illness, or
::(ii) any other good and sufficient cause,
:not likely to be able to attend at the time the trial is held; or
:(b) is out of Canada.

; Idem
(2) A decision under subsection (1) {{AnnSec7|709(1)}} is deemed to have been made at the trial held in relation to the proceedings mentioned in that subsection.

R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 709; 
R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), s. 150;
{{LegHistory90s|1994, c. 44}}, s. 72.
{{Annotation}}
|[{{CCCSec|709}} CCC]
|{{NoteUp|}}
}}

This right related "solely to the procedure at trial".<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|O'Connor|1tvt8|1966 CanLII 12 (SCC)|, [1966] SCR 619}}{{perSCC|Ritchie  J}}<br>
</ref>

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==Right to Disclosure==
{{seealso|Disclosure}}
The right to disclosure is a principle of fundamental justice under s. 7 of the Charter and is a component of the broader right to full answer and defence.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Carosella|1fr3p|1997 CanLII 402 (SCC)|, [1997] 1 SCR 80}}{{perSCC|Sopinka J}}{{atL|1fr3p|37}} ("The right to disclosure of material which meets the Stinchcombe threshold is one of the components of the right to make full answer and defence which in turn is a principle of fundamental justice embraced by s. 7 of the Charter.")<br>
</ref>

The O'Connor test of producing records that are "likely relevant" is designed to avoid fishing expeditions and to capture records that "may assist" in making FAD.<Ref>
{{CanLIIR|Gubbins|hvqb7|2018 SCC 44 (CanLII)|, [2018] 3 SCR 35}}{{perSCC|Rowe J}} (8:1){{atsL|hvqb7|26| to 29}}
</ref>

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==Right to Cross-Examine Witnesses==
{{seealso|Cross-Examinations}}
The right to cross-examine witnesses is a principle of fundamental justice and is necessary for trial fairness.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Seaboyer|1fskf|1991 CanLII 76 (SCC)|, [1991] 2 SCR 577}}{{perSCC|McLachlin J}}<Br>
{{CanLIIRPC|Titus v The Queen|1txh7|1983 CanLII 49 (SCC)|, [1983] 1 SCR 259}}{{perSCC|Ritchie J}}{{atps|263-64}}
</ref>

The right is protected by s. 7 and 11(d) of the Charter.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Osolin|1frvz|1993 CanLII 54 (SCC)|, [1993] 4 SCR 595}}{{perSCC|Cory J}} <br>
</ref>

The rights relating to the presumption of innocence and standard of proof beyond beyond a reasonable doubt entitles the accused "to employ every legitimate means of testing the evidence called by the Crown to negative that presumption and in my opinion this includes the right to explore all circumstances capable of indicating that any of the prosecution witnesses had a motive for favouring the Crown."<ref>
{{supra1|Titus}}{{atp|263}}<Br>
</ref>

In cases that turn on credibility will entitle an enhanced right to fully cross-examine witnesses.<ref>
{{CanLIIR-N|Andmalik| (1984), 6 O.A.C. 143}}{{atp|144}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Giffin|2dk07|1986 ABCA 107 (CanLII)|, 69 A.R. 158}}{{perABCA|Kerans JA}}{{atp|159}} ("the events about which counsel sought to cross-examine were relevant on the question of the credibility of the witness .... The accused in this case cannot be said to have had an opportunity for a fair answer and defence when he was not permitted to ask them.")<Br>
{{CanLIIR-N|Wallick| (1990), 69 Man. R. (2d) 310 (C.A.)}} where{{atp|311}} ("Cross-examination is a most powerful weapon of the defence, particularly when the entire case turns on credibility of the witnesses.  An accused in a criminal case has the right of cross-examination in the fullest and widest sense of the word as long as he does not abuse that right.  Any improper interference with the right is an error which will result in the conviction being quashed.")<br>
</ref>

Where there is no valid reason to limit cross-examination, any limitation imposed will result in a denial of Full Answer and Defence.<ref>
{{CanLIIR|Quintero-Gelvez|hx2mh|2019 ABCA 17 (CanLII)}}{{TheCourtABCA}}{{AtL|hx2mh|9}}<br>
</ref>

; A Child Witness Unresponsive to Questioning
When considering whether child's unwillingness to give evidence in trial is sufficient to render the trial unfair and impact the right to full answer and defence the court should consider:<ref>
{{CanLIIR|TH|h4864|2017 ONCA 485 (CanLII)}}{{perONCA|MacPherson JA}}{{atL|h4864|38}}<br>
{{CanLIIR|Hart|1x68t|1999 NSCA 45 (CanLII)}}{{perNSCA-H|Cromwell JA}}<Br>
</ref>
# the reason for unresponsiveness; 
# the impact of the unresponsiveness;
# possibilities of ameliorative action.

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