Bail Pending Appeal
General Principles
Bail pending appeal may be initiated under the rules of court for the particular province.[1]
- Release pending determination of appeal
679 (1) A judge of the court of appeal may, in accordance with this section, release an appellant from custody pending the determination of his appeal if,
- (a) in the case of an appeal to the court of appeal against conviction, the appellant has given notice of appeal or, where leave is required, notice of his application for leave to appeal pursuant to section 678 [requirements for notice to appeal];
- (b) in the case of an appeal to the court of appeal against sentence only, the appellant has been granted leave to appeal; or
- (c) in the case of an appeal or an application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada, the appellant has filed and served his notice of appeal or, where leave is required, his application for leave to appeal.
...
R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 679; R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), s. 141; 1997, c. 18, s. 95; 1999, c. 25, s. 14(Preamble); 2002, c. 13, s. 66; 2019, c. 25, s. 279.
[annotation(s) added]
Where the appeal is against sentence only (s. 679(1)(b)), the appellate judge must decide the issue of whether leave should be granted first. In any other circumstances leave does not need to be determined.
- Burden
The burden is upon the offender to establish the grounds of release on a balance of probabilities.[2] Each criterion must be met on a balance of probabilities.[3] This shift of burden is because the presumption of innocence is no longer in effect upon conviction.[4]
- ↑
e.g. Rule 19(4) of the Criminal Appeal Rules (BC)
Rule 91.24 of the Civil Procedure Rules (NS)
- ↑
R v Chubbs, 2013 NLCA 30 (CanLII), per Hoegg JA, at para 3
R v Dow, 2013 NSCA 50 (CanLII), per Saunders JA, at para 10 citing numerous NS cases
R v Brown, 2013 ABCA 256 (CanLII), per O’Ferrall JA, at para 2
- ↑
R v Oland, 2017 SCC 17 (CanLII), per Moldaver J, at para 19 (“bears the burden of establishing that each criterion is met on a balance of probabilities”)
- ↑ Dow, ibid., at para 10
Bail on Sentence Appeal
679 (1) ...
- Idem
(4) In the case of an appeal referred to in paragraph (1)(b) [appeal of sentence only], the judge of the court of appeal may order that the appellant be released pending the determination of his appeal or until otherwise ordered by a judge of the court of appeal if the appellant establishes that
- (a) the appeal has sufficient merit that, in the circumstances, it would cause unnecessary hardship if he were detained in custody;
- (b) he will surrender himself into custody in accordance with the terms of the order; and
- (c) his detention is not necessary in the public interest.
...
R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 679; R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), s. 141; 1997, c. 18, s. 95; 1999, c. 25, s. 14(Preamble); 2002, c. 13, s. 66; 2019, c. 25, s. 279.
[annotation(s) added]
Depending on the rules of court of each jurisdiction it may be required that the Court of Appeal grant leave to appeal before they can consider bail pending a hearing on the merits of appeal.[1]
- Leave Required
seeking bail on a sentence appeal requires the applicant to obtain leave. The burden is not onerous and does not require showing "sufficient merit" as referenced in s. 679(4)(a).[2]
- "sufficient merit"
The standard of "sufficient merit" considers the time spent in jail pending appeal and whether that time is greater than the time in jail for a fit and proper sentence.[3]
- ↑
NS: R v KMF, 2018 NSCA 58 (CanLII), per Farrar JA in Chambers ("[17] K.M.F. is only appealing her sentence. Before she can seek bail pending appeal I must grant leave to appeal.") -- applying 91.24 (1) of the NS Civil Procedure Rules
- ↑ R v Mauger, 2017 NSCA 94, per Van den Eynden JA
- ↑ Mauger, ibid.
Bail on Reference
679
...
- Release or detention pending hearing of reference
(7) If, with respect to any person, the Minister of Justice gives a direction or makes a reference under section 696.3 [definition of court of appeal, powers of minister of justice], this section applies to the release or detention of that person pending the hearing and determination of the reference as though that person were an appellant in an appeal described in paragraph (1)(a) [release pending appeal – against conviction].
...
R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 679; R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), s. 141; 1997, c. 18, s. 95; 1999, c. 25, s. 14(Preamble); 2002, c. 13, s. 66; 2019, c. 25, s. 279.
[annotation(s) added]
Bail on Appeal of Conviction, Conviction and Sentence, or Appeal to Supreme Court of Canada
Section 679(3) sets out the grounds to consider on bail:[1]
679.
...
- Circumstances in which appellant may be released
(3) In the case of an appeal referred to in paragraph (1)(a) [appeal of conviction or conviction and sentence] or (c) [appeal to supreme court of canada], the judge of the court of appeal may order that the appellant be released pending the determination of his appeal if the appellant establishes that
- (a) the appeal or application for leave to appeal is not frivolous;
- (b) he will surrender himself into custody in accordance with the terms of the order; and
- (c) his detention is not necessary in the public interest.
...
R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 679; R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), s. 141; 1997, c. 18, s. 95; 1999, c. 25, s. 14(Preamble); 2002, c. 13, s. 66; 2019, c. 25, s. 279.
[annotation(s) added]
- ↑ see also R v Manasseri, 2013 ONCA 647 (CanLII), per Watt JA
Not Frivolous
The requirement of a non-frivolous appeal is made out where the appeal raises "arguable issues" that has a "viable ground". This does not require establishment of a "likelihood" of success.[1]
It is only necessary that it be shown that the appeal will "not necessarily fail".[2] Or to put in another way, it is "an appeal that one can say with confidence cannot possibly succeed".[3]
- ↑
R v HB, 2014 ONCA 334 (CanLII), per Lauwers JA, at para 3
R v Manasseri, 2013 ONCA 647 (CanLII), per Watt JA, at para 38
- ↑
R v Passey, 1997 ABCA 343 (CanLII), per Berger JA, at para 7
R v Iyer, 2016 ABCA 407 (CanLII), per Greckol JA, at para 8
- ↑
Iyer, ibid., at para 8
Public Interest
The public interests criterion has two components: 1) public safety and 2) public confidence in the administration of justice.[1]
The third factor takes into account the appellant’s risk to reoffend, the strength of his case, the nature and circumstances of the offence, the circumstances of the appellant himself, delay and its impact, post-charge conduct, the possible terms of release, and the impact of release on the confidence of the public in the administration of justice.[2]
- ↑
R v Forcillo, 2016 ONCA 606 (CanLII), per curiam, at para 9
R v Oland, 2017 SCC 17 (CanLII), per Moldaver J, at paras 23 to 27
R v Farinacci (1993), 1993 CanLII 3385 (ON CA), 67 O.A.C. 197 (C.A.), per Arbour JA - ↑
R v LSR, 2008 SKCA 77 (CanLII), per Jackson JA
R v Toy, 2009 SKCA 32 (CanLII), per Wilkinson JA
Public Safety
The risk of re-offence relates to risk to others or the administration of justice.[1]
Consideration will include prior criminal record and history of compliance while on release conditions.[2]
- ↑
R v Forcillo, 2016 ONCA 606 (CanLII), per curiam, at para 10
R v Iyer, 2016 ABCA 407 (CanLII), per Greckol JA, at para 15 ("This involves the likelihood of re-offence or harm to the public if [accused] is released")
- ↑
e.g. Iyer, ibid., at para 15
Confidence in the Administration of Justice
The analysis should balance the need to review a conviction leading to imprisonment and the need to have immediately enforced judgments.[1]
This is characterized as a weighing the two competing interests of enforceability and reviewability.[2] This balancing involves a "qualitative and contextual exercise, with no precise formula".[3]
The interest of reviewability concerns the interests of the accused not to serve "all or a significant part of a custodial sentence only to find out on appeal that the conviction ... was unlawful" and to acknowledge that the system is no infallible.[4]
The public's confidence in the administration of justice requires that judgments to be enforced.[5] So too does it require that judgments be reviewed and errors be corrected.[6]
This element is usually the most important when dealing with more serious offences with greater penalties.[7] A more serious offence who advances an arguable but weak ground, will side on the denial of bail.[8] A murder conviction will "rarely" be granted relief on the public interest branch.[9] But where the grounds are strong and there is a "serious concern" of accuracy of the verdict. The public interest will side on granting bail, even in serious offences.[10]
Where safety and flight are negligible concerns and the grounds are "not frivolous", the interests in reviewability may overshadow the enforceability, even for murder.[11]
- Circumstantial Factors
The factors to consider include:[12]
- ensuring fairness in the appeal process, to avoid the prospect of the applicant serving a sentence when the appeal is ultimately allowed[13]
- the fact of conviction, and the public importance of respecting the trial decision and the trial process[14]
- the apparent strength of the grounds for appeal, recognizing that it is not the role of the bail judge to resolve the merits[15]
- the standard of review that will be applied by the appeal court[16]
- any risk that the applicant will reoffend if released[17]
- the applicant’s history of compliance with court orders and legally imposed conditions;[18]
- whether the applicant was released pending trial, and if so if his release was uneventful;[19]
- whether conditions of release could be crafted that would protect the public interest;[20]
- the seriousness of the charges, reflected in the severity of the sentence, although no class of offence is excluded from release[21]
- the effect on the perception of the administration of justice if the applicant is released, including the perception of an informed and reasonable member of society[22]
- the status and state of readiness of the appeal[23]
No single factor should be considered determinative.[24]
- ↑
R v HB, 2014 ONCA 334 (CanLII), per Lauwers JA, at para 3
R v Farinacci, 1993 CanLII 3385 (ON CA), (1993), 86 CCC (3d) 32 (Ont. C.A.), per Arbour JA, at pp. 47-48
R v Manasseri, 2013 ONCA 647 (*no CanLII links)
R v Sidhu, 2015 ABCA 308 (CanLII), per curiam, at para 5 - ↑
R v Oland, 2017 SCC 17 (CanLII), per Moldaver J, at paras 24, 26
Farinacci, supra, at paras 41, 44
- ↑
Oland, supra, at para 49
- ↑
Oland, ibid., at para 25
- ↑
Manasseri, ibid.
- ↑
Farinacci, supra, at para 48
Manasseri, supra
- ↑
HB, supra, at para 3
- ↑
Manasseri, supra
Farinacci, supra, at para 48
- ↑ R v Baltovich, 2000 CanLII 5680 (ON CA), per Rosenberg JA, at para 20
- ↑
Baltovich, ibid., at para 20
R v Parsons, 1994 CanLII 9754 (NL CA), (1994), 30 C.R. (4th) 169 (Nfld. C.A.), per Marshall JA, at pp. 186-187
Manasseri, supra
- ↑
R v Shlah, 2017 ABCA 103 (CanLII), per O’Ferrall JA, at para 13
- ↑ R v Sidhu, 2015 ABCA 308 (CanLII), per curiam, at para 12
- ↑
R v Fox, 2000 ABCA 283 (CanLII), per Wittmann JA, at paras 18 and 19
R v Colville, 2003 ABCA 133 (CanLII), per Conrad JA, at para 12
- ↑
R v Nguyen, 1997 CanLII 10835 (BC CA), 97 BCAC 86, 119 CCC (3d) 269] (BCCA), per McEachern JA, at para 18
Farinacci, ibid., at para 41
R v Rhyason, 2006 ABCA 120 (CanLII), per Berger JA
- ↑
R v Heyden (1999), 1999 CanLII 1934 (ON CA), 127 O.A.C. 190, 141 CCC (3d) 570, per curiam, at paras 7 to 8, 12
Rhyason, supra, at paras 13 to 18
Colville, supra, at para 16
- ↑
R v Sagoo, 2009 ABCA 357 (CanLII), 464 A.R. 258, per Ritter JA, at para 9
- ↑
Nguyen, supra, at para 7
Fox, supra, at paras 18, 20 to 21
- ↑
Sidhu, supra, at para 12
- ↑
Sidhu, supra, at para 12
- ↑
Sidhu, supra, at para 12
- ↑
Nguyen, supra, at paras 13, , at paras 20 to 24
Heyden, supra, at para 12
R v RDL (1995), 178 A.R. 142(*no CanLII links) , at para 5
- ↑
Nguyen, supra, at paras 25 to 26
Rhyason, supra, at para 20
Fox, supra, at para 18
Colville, supra, at para 17
- ↑
Farinacci, supra, at 48 paras 44, 48{{{3}}}
Heyden, supra, at para 12
RDL, supra, at paras 5, 12
- ↑
Sidhu, supra, at para 12
R v Gingras, 2012 BCCA 467 (CanLII), per Donald JA, at para 45
Conditions of Release
679...
- Conditions of release order
(5) If the judge of the court of appeal does not refuse the appellant’s application, the judge shall make a release order referred to in section 515 [judicial interim release provisions], the form of which may be adapted to suit the circumstances, which must include a condition that the accused surrender themselves into custody in accordance with the order.
- Immediate release of appellant
(5.1) The person having the custody of the appellant shall, if the appellant complies with the release order, immediately release the appellant.
- Applicable provisions
(6) Sections 495.1 [arrest without warrant – for breach of conditions (524)], 512.3 [warrant to appear under section 524] and 524 [procedure relating to breach of conditions] apply, with any modifications that the circumstances require, in respect of any proceedings under this section.
...
R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 679; R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), s. 141; 1997, c. 18, s. 95; 1999, c. 25, s. 14(Preamble); 2002, c. 13, s. 66; 2019, c. 25, s. 279.
[annotation(s) added]
This provision came into force on December 18, 2019.
Procedure
679.
...
- Notice of application for release
(2) Where an appellant applies to a judge of the court of appeal to be released pending the determination of his appeal, he shall give written notice of the application to the prosecutor or to such other person as a judge of the court of appeal directs.
...
R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 679; R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), s. 141; 1997, c. 18, s. 95; 1999, c. 25, s. 14(Preamble); 2002, c. 13, s. 66; 2019, c. 25, s. 279.
Power to Expedite Appeal
- Release pending determination of appeal
679 (1) ...
- Directions for expediting appeal, new trial, etc.
(10) A judge of the court of appeal, where on the application of an appellant he does not make an order under subsection (5) [release pending appeal – conditions] or where he cancels an order previously made under this section, or a judge of the Supreme Court of Canada on application by an appellant in the case of an appeal to that Court, may give such directions as he thinks necessary for expediting the hearing of the appellant’s appeal or for expediting the new trial or new hearing or the hearing of the reference, as the case may be.
R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 679; R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), s. 141; 1997, c. 18, s. 95; 1999, c. 25, s. 14(Preamble); 2002, c. 13, s. 66; 2019, c. 25, s. 279.
[annotation(s) added]
Revocation
Section 679(6) allows for an application to revoke bail in the same manner as regular bail under s. 525:
679...
- Application of certain provisions of section 525
(6) The provisions of subsections 525(5) [s. 525 detention review – release order], (6) [provisions that apply to s. 525 review hearing] and (7) [definition of judge in the Province of Quebec] apply with such modifications as the circumstances require in respect of a person who has been released from custody under subsection (5) [release pending appeal – conditions] of this section.
...
R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 679; R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), s. 141; 1997, c. 18, s. 95; 1999, c. 25, s. 14(Preamble); 2002, c. 13, s. 66; 2019, c. 25, s. 279.
[annotation(s) added]
Upon arrest for an allegation for failure to comply with the provisions of bail pending appeal, a chambers judge may:[1]
- revoke release order
- cancel the recognizance; and
- release on a new recognizance under s. 515(10) where the detainee shows cause;
- ↑
R v Manasseri, 2015 ONCA 3 (CanLII), per Watt JA, at para 32
Example Offences
Courts have considered bail in the following offences:
- Sexual assault [1]
- Homicide
Bail pending appeal for a conviction for murder is "rare".[2]
- ↑ R v Tcho, 2011 SKCA 113 (CanLII), per Richards JA - released
- ↑
R v Baltovich, 2000 CanLII 5680 (ON CA), 144 CCC (3d) 233 (ON CA), per Rosenberg JA
R v Short, 2017 ONCA 153 (CanLII), per curiam, at para 9
R v Manasseri, 2013 ONCA 647(*no CanLII links)
Bail On Ordering of a New Trial
Where the accused appeals and a new trial is ordered by the appellate court, the accused's release is governed by s. 679(7.1):
679
...
- Release or detention pending new trial or new hearing
(7.1) Where, with respect to any person, the court of appeal or the Supreme Court of Canada orders a new trial, section 515 [judicial interim release provisions] or 522 [bail for s. 469 offences], as the case may be, applies to the release or detention of that person pending the new trial or new hearing as though that person were charged with the offence for the first time, except that the powers of a justice under section 515 [judicial interim release provisions] or of a judge under section 522 [bail for s. 469 offences] are exercised by a judge of the court of appeal.
...
R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 679; R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), s. 141; 1997, c. 18, s. 95; 1999, c. 25, s. 14(Preamble); 2002, c. 13, s. 66; 2019, c. 25, s. 279.
[annotation(s) added]
This section intends to treat accused directed to a new trial to be treated "as if that person were charged with the same offence for the first time".[1]
The order of release or remand will be ordered under s. 515 for all offences except for s. 469 offences in which case it is governed by s. 522. The function of s. 679(7.1) would transfer these release powers to the Court of Appeal.[2]
The phrase "pending the new trial" includes (1) the period between the order of the new trial and the first appearance in addition to (2) the period between the first appearance and the commencement of the new trial.[3] During the first period of time, the appellate court has exclusive jurisdiction to deal with bail.[4] While in the second period of time both the trial court and the court of appeal share concurrent jurisdiction over bail.[5]
- Concurrent Jurisdiction
Where there is concurrent jurisdiction to release an accused under s. 679(7.1), the court of appeal will often decline jurisidiction and refer the matter to the trial judge.[6] The Court of Appeal will take into account numerous factors when deciding whether to take jurisdiction including:[7]
- the geographic location of the person, the proposed sureties, counsel and where necessary, witnesses.
- the nature of the hearing, including the reasonable necessity of the introduction of viva voce testimony;
- the issues in controversy;
- the anticipated length of the hearing;
- the need for familiarity with the appellate record and the reasons provided for ordering a new trial;
- the relationship, if any, between the issue of release and the hearing and scheduling of the new trial;
- the review mechanism available to any party aggrieved by the decision;
- the nature of the record required for the hearing; and
- the timing of the hearing.
- ↑
R v Manasseri, 2017 ONCA 226 (CanLII), per Watt JA, at para 38
- ↑
Manasseri, ibid., at para 38
- ↑
Manasseri, ibid., at paras 39 to 40
- ↑
Manasseri, ibid., at para 41
R v Vincent, 2008 ONCA 76 (CanLII), per Sharpe JA, at para 7
R v Geddes, 2012 MBCA 31 (CanLII), per Chartier JA, at para 3
- ↑
Manasseri, ibid., at para 41
- ↑
Manasseri, ibid., at para 42
- ↑ Manasseri, ibid.
Bail Pending Summary Conviction Appeal
- Interim Release of Appellant
- Release order — appellant
816 (1) A person who was the defendant in proceedings before a summary conviction court and who is an appellant under section 813 [appeal by defendant, informant or Attorney General] shall, if they are in custody, remain in custody unless the appeal court at which the appeal is to be heard makes a release order referred to in section 515 [judicial interim release provisions], the form of which may be adapted to suit the circumstances, which must include the condition that the person surrender themselves into custody in accordance with the order.
- Release of appellant
(1.1) The person having the custody of the appellant shall, if the appellant complies with the order, immediately release the appellant.
- Applicable provisions
(2) Sections 495.1[arrest without warrant – for breach of conditions (524)], 512.3 [warrant to appear under section 524] and 524 [procedure relating to breach of conditions] apply, with any modifications that the circumstances require, in respect of any proceedings under this section.
R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 816; R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.) , s. 181(E); 2019, c. 25, s. 323.
[annotation(s) added]
- Recognizance of prosecutor
817 (1) The prosecutor in proceedings before a summary conviction court by whom an appeal is taken under section 813 [appeal by defendant, informant or Attorney General] shall, immediately after filing the notice of appeal and proof of service of the notice in accordance with section 815 [Notice of summary appeal to court of appeal], appear before a justice, and the justice shall, after giving the prosecutor and the respondent a reasonable opportunity to be heard, order that the prosecutor enter into a recognizance, with or without sureties, in the amount that the justice directs and with or without the deposit of money or other valuable security that the justice directs.
- Condition
(2) The condition of a recognizance entered into under this section is that the prosecutor will appear personally or by counsel at the sittings of the appeal court at which the appeal is to be heard.
- Appeals by Attorney General
(3) This section does not apply in respect of an appeal taken by the Attorney General or by counsel acting on behalf of the Attorney General.
- Form of undertaking or recognizance
(4) [repealed, 2019, c. 25, s. 324(2)]
R.S., c. 2(2nd Supp.), s. 16; 2019, c. 25, s. 324.
[annotation(s) added]
- Application to appeal court for review
818 (1) Where a justice makes an order under section 817 [recognizance of prosecutor], either the appellant or the respondent may, before or at any time during the hearing of the appeal, apply to the appeal court for a review of the order made by the justice.
- Disposition of application by appeal court
(2) On the hearing of an application under this section, the appeal court, after giving the appellant and the respondent a reasonable opportunity to be heard, shall
- (a) dismiss the application; or
- (b) if the person applying for the review shows cause, allow the application, vacate the order made by the justice and make the order that in the opinion of the appeal court should have been made.
- Effect of order
(3) An order made under this section shall have the same force and effect as if it had been made by the justice.
R.S., c. 2(2nd Supp.), s. 16; 1974-75-76, c. 93, s. 91.1.
[annotation(s) added]
Recognizance
- Requiring an Undertaking or Recognizance
- Release order or recognizance
832 (1) If a notice of appeal is filed under section 830 [summary conviction appeal], the appeal court may, if the defendant is the appellant, make a release order as provided in section 816 [release order for appellant] or, in any other case, order that the appellant appear before a justice and enter into a recognizance as provided in section 817 [recognizance of prosecutor].
- Attorney General
(2) Subsection (1) [appeal of summary appeal court – imposition of release order] does not apply where the appellant is the Attorney General or counsel acting on behalf of the Attorney General.
R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 832; R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), s. 182; 2019, c. 25, s. 327.
[annotation(s) added]
Leave to Appeal
679
- Application to appeals on summary conviction proceedings
(8) This section [release pending appeal] applies to applications for leave to appeal and appeals to the Supreme Court of Canada in summary conviction proceedings.
...
Dismissal for Failure to Attend or Want of Prosecution
- Dismissal for failure to appear or want of prosecution
825 The appeal court may, on proof that notice of an appeal has been given and that
- (a) the appellant has failed to comply with the conditions of a release order made under section 816 [release order for appellant] or of a recognizance entered into under section 817 [recognizance of prosecutor]; or
- (b) the appeal has not been proceeded with or has been abandoned,
order that the appeal be dismissed.
R.S., c. C-34, s. 757; R.S., c. 2(2nd Supp.), s. 18; 2019, c. 25, s. 325.
[annotation(s) added]