Amicus Curae
General Principles
A superior court and provincial court dealing with criminal matters, has the discretion to appoint an amicus curiae counsel who will assist the court in the proceedings. This power arises from their inherent authority to "control their processes in order to function as courts of law" as well as the jurisdiction to " permit a particular proceeding to be successfully and justly adjudicated".[1]
An amicus can play a variety of roles as determined by the Court. There is no fixed role that they must play.[2]
- Right to Self-Representation
The accused has a right to represent himself and cannot be forced to apply for counsel through legal aid or by way of a Robotham application.[3] However, an accused has no ability to discharge an amicus.[4]
- Duty is Always to the Court
In any circumstances, the "defining characteristic" of an amicus is that their primary duty is to the court and responsibility to ensure "the proper administration of justice".[5] The amicus is not a lawyer to the accused, but rather is effectively a lawyer to the court.[6]
An Amicus cannot "control the litigation strategy".[7]
- Purpose
An amicus curiae is counsel appointed by the court to assist an accused in representing himself. This is a more limited role than accused's counsel and does not require the confidence or consent of the accused. The amicus will provide assistance such as
- objecting to perceived legal errors;
- assisting the appellant in drafting a statement of the defence position;
- assisting the appellant in subpoenaing any defence witnesses; and
- advising the appellant on any questions of law.[8]
The role played by an Amicus, depending on the case, can range from relatively detached to fully engaged in the accused's behalf.[9]
The meaning of an amicus curiae "implies the friendly intervention of counsel to remind the Court of some matter of law which has escaped its notice and in regard to which it is in danger of going wrong."[10]
- Whether to Appoint
The court must consider whether it can provide adequate guidance to an unrepresented accused such that it would permit a fair and orderly trial without an amicus.[11]
The judge should be mindful of whether an amicus is necessary to ensure the trial proceeds reasonably.[12]
- Terms and Conditions of Amicus
The court may also set the terms and conditions of the appointment related to counsel's compensation.[13]
There is no solicitor-client privilege between the amicus and accused but the necessary confidentiality can flow from a Crown undertakign in consenting to the appointment of amicus.[14]
- Amicus for Step Six Garofoli hearings
There is no special or enhanced obligation to appoint an amicus on a "Step Six" Garofoli application.[15]However, it should be done in "particularly difficult cases".[16]
- Appeal of Appointment
Where the accused discharges their counsel who is subsequently appointed as amicus curiae, the accused can only appeal the appointment if there is an actual conflict of interest between the accused and his counsel.[17]
- ↑
R v Russel, 2011 ONCA 303 (CanLII), per curiam
R v Thompson, 2017 ONCA 204 (CanLII), per curiam, at paras 15 to 18
Ontario v Criminal Lawyers' Association, 2013 SCC 43 (CanLII), , [2013] 3 SCR 3, per Karakatsanis J, at para {{{2}}} ("While courts of inherent jurisdiction have no power to appoint the women and men who staff the courts and assist judges in discharging their work, there is ample authority for judges appointing amici curiae where this is necessary to permit a particular proceeding to be successfully and justly adjudicated.") - ↑
Criminal Lawyers, ibid., per Fish J (dissent), at para 117
R v Cairenius, 2008 CanLII 28219 (ON SC), , 232 CCC (3d) 13 (Ont. S.C.J.), per Durno J, at paras 52 to 59 - ↑ R v Imona-Russel, 2019 ONCA 252 (CanLII), per Lauwens JA, at para 67
- ↑ Imona-Russel, ibid.
- ↑
Criminal Lawyers, supra, at para 118 ("Regardless of what responsibilities the amicus is given, however, his defining characteristic remains his duty to the court and to ensuring the proper administration of justice.")
- ↑ Criminal Lawyers, supra, at para 118 ("An amicus’s sole “client” is the court, and an amicus’s purpose is to provide the court with a perspective it feels it is lacking ― all that an amicus does is in the public interest for the benefit of the court in the correct disposal of the case")
- ↑ Imona-Russel, supra, at para 68
- ↑ R v Amos, 2012 ONCA 334 (CanLII), per Watt JA
- ↑
Cairenius, supra, at paras 55 to 56
R v Imona-Russel, 2019 ONCA 252 (CanLII), per Lauwers JA, at para 66 - ↑ R v Samra, 1998 CanLII 7174 (ON CA), , (1998) 129 CCC (3d) 144 (1998), 129 CCC (3d) 145, per Rosenberg JA citing R v Grice (1957), 119 CCC 18, 1957 CanLII 375 (ON SC), per Ferguson J
- ↑
Russel, supra, at para 69
Rushlow, at para. 21(complete citation pending)
- ↑ Russel, supra, at paras 73 to 75
- ↑ Russel, supra
- ↑ Russel, supra, at para 68
- ↑ Thompson, supra
- ↑
Thompson, supra, at para 17
R v Shivrattan, 2017 ONCA 23 (CanLII), per Doherty JA, at paras 65 to 66 - ↑
Samra, ibid. at 160 per Rosenberg JA (Ont.C.A.)
Statutory Forms of Amicus Curae
Under 486.3(1), in any proceedings involving a cross-examination of a witness under 18 years of age and the accused is self-represented, the prosecutor or witness may apply to have counsel appointed to conduct the cross-examination unless the "proper administration of justice requires".
Under 486.3(2), in any proceedings involving a cross-examination of a witness and the accused is self-represented, the prosecutor or witness may apply to have counsel appointed to conduct the cross-examination where it is necessary "in order to obtain a full and candid account".
Under 486.3(4), in any proceedings involving a cross-examination of a witness with respect to an offence of criminal harassment (264) and the accused is self-represented, the prosecutor or witness may apply to have counsel appointed to conduct the cross-examination unless the "proper administration of justice requires".