Criminal Law Notebook

Ineffective Counsel

This page was last substantively updated or reviewed April 2023. (Rev. # 95858)

General Principles

Any time counsel fails to provide effective representation the reliability of the verdict and trial fairness suffer and may result in a miscarriage of justice.[1]

The proper test for overturning a verdict due to ineffectiveness of counsel requires that: [2]

  1. the counsel's performance was deficient (through act or omission) such that counsel made serious errors amounting to incompetence; and
  2. the "deficient" performance prejudiced the defence in a way that deprived the accused of a fair trial and created a miscarriage of justice.

A claim for ineffective assistance or incompetent counsel has two components. There must be performance that is incompetent (performance component) and the performance must result in a "miscarriage of justice" (the prejudice component). [3] Thusly, the applicant must prove:[4]

  1. the facts that underpin the claim on a balance of probabilities;
  2. the act or omission that was believed to be incompetent assistance by counsel (performance);
  3. the incompetent assistance caused a miscarriage of justice by undermining either appearance of a fair trial or reliability of the verdict (prejudice).

The second step of analysis analysis is sometimes called the "performance component". The third step is called the "prejudice component."[5]

The process of analysis follows an unusual process. Once the first step is satisfied, the court should then go to the third step to determine whether there is prejudice. If no prejudice is found, the court should not go onto the second step to consider performance.[6] This would appear to effectively shortcut the analysis to avoid dissecting counsel's performance when it is not necessary.

The factual underpinning will usually require a fresh evidence application.[7]

The test sets a "high bar" that is not easily met.[8]

Absent a possible injustice flowing from the incompetency of counsel there can be no appeal.[9]

Principles of Fundamental Justice

The "principles of fundamental justice" under section 7 of the Charter include the "right to effective assistance of counsel" in the criminal justice system.[10]

Burden and Standard of Proof

The onus is upon the accused. There is a strong presumption in favour of competence.[11]

On the performance component on analysis there is a "strong presumption that counsel’s conduct fell within the wide range of reasonable professional assistance"[12] The performance is considered on a standard of reasonableness.[13] It is not one of perfection.[14] There is no place for hindsight.[15]

Advice and representation cannot be rendered unreasonable on account of conviction.[16]

The applicant must prove all elements that make up a finding of ineffective counsel on a standard of balance of probabilities.[17]

Timing of Allegation

The standard for ineffective counsel will not be the same on appeal as it will be if raised during the course of the trial.[18] Where it is brought during the trial the approach should be analyzed with the same framework as a mistrial.[19]

Standard of Appellate Review

An appellate review of counsel's conduct is deferential as there is a "broad spectrum of professional judgment" that is reasonable. Consequently, simply because others would have acted differently is not enough.[20]

  1. ↑ R v GDB, 2000 SCC 22 (CanLII), [2000] 1 SCR 520, per Major J, at para 1
    R v Joanisse, 1995 CanLII 3507 (ON CA), 102 CCC (3d) 35, per Doherty JA (3:0) p. 57 leave to appeal refused, [1996] SCCA No 347 ("Where counsel fails to provide effective representation, the fairness of the trial, measured both by reference to the reliability of the verdict and the adjudicative fairness of the process used to arrive at the verdict, suffers. In some cases the result will be a miscarriage of justice.")
  2. ↑ R v Garofoli, 1988 CanLII 3270 (ON CA), 41 CCC (3d) 97, per Martin JA -- appealed to 1990 CanLII 52 (SCC) on other grounds
    R v Schofield (G.R.), 1996 CanLII 8709 (NSCA), 429 APR 175, per Chipman JA (3:0)
    R v Strauss (D.W.), 1995 CanLII 702 (BCCA), 100 CCC (3d) 303, per Macfarlane JA (3:0)
    Adopted from the US case of Strickland v Washington, 104 S. Ct. 2052 (1984) ("A convicted defendant’s claim that counsel’s assistance was so defective as to require reversal of a conviction ...has two components. First, the defendant must show that counsel’s performance was deficient. This requires showing that counsel made errors so serious that counsel was not functioning as the ‘counsel’ ... . Second, the defendant must show that the deficient performance prejudiced the defense. This requires showing that counsel’s errors were so serious as to deprive the defendant of a fair trial, a trial whose result is reliable. Unless a defendant makes both showings, it cannot be said that the conviction or death sentence resulted from a breakdown in the adversary process that renders the result unreliable.”)
    R v Prebtani, 2008 ONCA 735 (CanLII), 243 OAC 207, per Rosenberg JA, at paras 3to 4
    R v Hartling, 2020 ONCA 243 (CanLII), 150 OR (3d) 224, per Benotto JA
    R v Smith-Kingsley, 2021 NBCA 51 (CanLII), per Drapeau CJ, at para 22
  3. ↑ R v Gardiner, 2010 NBCA 46 (CanLII), 934 APR 179, per Richard JA (3:0), at para 2
  4. ↑ R v Archer, 2005 CanLII 36444 (ON CA), 202 CCC (3d) 60, per Doherty JA (3:0), at para 119
    R v G(DM), 2011 ONCA 343 (CanLII), 275 CCC (3d) 295, per Watt JA (3:0), at para 100
    R v B(J), 2011 ONCA 404 (CanLII), per curiam (3:0), at para 2
    R v Le (T.D.), 2011 MBCA 83 (CanLII), 275 CCC (3d) 427, per Scott CJ, at para 178
    R v Kim, 2011 SKCA 74 (CanLII), 272 CCC (3d) 15, per Smith JA (3:0)
    R v Joanisse, 1995 CanLII 3507 (ON CA), 102 CCC (3d) 35, per Doherty JA (3:0), at para 69 leave to appeal refused, [1996] SCCA No 347
    R v White, 1997 CanLII 2426 (ON CA), 99 OAC 1, 114 CCC (3d) 225, per Laskin and Charron JA (3:0), at paras 63 to 65, 114 CCC (3d) 225; leave to appeal denied, 117 CCC (3d) vi (SCC)
    R v Eroma, 2013 ONCA 194 (CanLII), OJ No 1411, per curiam (3:0)
    R v MacDonald, 2018 ABCA 138 (CanLII), AJ No 448, per curiam, at para 13
    R v B(M), 2009 ONCA 524 (CanLII), 68 CR (6th) 55, per Cronk and Armstrong JA (3:0), at paras 8 to 9
    R v Rockwood, 1989 CanLII 197 (NSCA), , 91 N.S.R.(2d) 305; 233 APR 305 (CA), per Chipman JA (3:0) ("The appellant who contends that he has not received this protection must therefore establish: (a) that counsel at the trial lacked competence, and (b) that it is reasonably probable that but for such lack of competence, the result of the proceedings would have been different.")
    R v White, 2016 NSCA 20 (CanLII), per Bryson JA, at para 52 ("an appellant must show that his counsel's acts or omission were incompetent and that a miscarriage of justice resulted")
    Hartling, supra, at para 73
    R v Eid, 2020 ONCA 649 (CanLII), per curiam
    R v KKM, 2020 ONCA 736 (CanLII), per Doherty JA, at para 55
    R v Stark, 2017 ONCA 148 (CanLII), 347 CCC (3d) 73, per Lauwers JA, at paras 12 to 14
    R v Qiu, 2010 ONCA 736 (CanLII), 268 OAC 352, per Lang JA, at paras 6 to 8
  5. ↑ Hartling, supra, at para 74
  6. ↑ Hartling, supra, at para 74
    R v Girn, 2019 ONCA 202 (CanLII), 373 CCC (3d) 139, per Watt JA, at para 92
  7. ↑ Le, supra , at para 258
  8. ↑ Hartling, supra, at para 74
    R v Cherrington, 2018 ONCA 653 (CanLII), OJ No 4012, at para 25
  9. ↑ R v Ensor , [1989] 1 W.L.R. 497 (CA) (UK), Lord Lane, C.J.
  10. ↑ R v GDB, 2000 SCC 22 (CanLII), [2000] 1 SCR 520, per Major J (5:0), at para 24, ("Today the right to effective assistance of counsel extends to all accused persons. In Canada that right is seen as a principle of fundamental justice. It is derived from the evolution of the common law, s. 650(3) of the Criminal Code of Canada and ss. 7 and 11(d) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.")
    R v Au-Young, 2010 BCCA 367 (CanLII), 289 BCAC 54, per Bennett JA, at para 30
  11. ↑ R v LW, 2006 CanLII 7393 (ON CA), OJ No 955, per Armstrong JA (3:0), at para 50
    GDB, supra, at para 27 ("Incompetence is determined by a reasonableness standard. The analysis proceeds upon a strong presumption that counsel’s conduct fell within the wide range of reasonable professional assistance. The onus is on the appellant to establish the acts or omissions of counsel that are alleged not to have been the result of reasonable professional judgment. The wisdom of hindsight has no place in this assessment.")
    Archer, supra
  12. ↑ GBD, supra, at para 27 Hartling, supra, at para 74
  13. ↑ Hartling, supra, at para 74
    Cherrington, supra, at para 26
    GBD, supra, at para 27
  14. ↑ R v Faudar, 2021 ONCA 226 (CanLII), per Tulloch JA, at para 105
  15. ↑ Hartling, supra, at para 74
    Cherrington, supra, at para 26
    GBD, supra, at para 27
  16. ↑ KKM, supra, at para 63
  17. ↑ R v Dunbar, 2003 BCCA 667 (CanLII), 191 BCAC 223, per curiam (3:0), at para 24 ("...the appellant must establish, on a balance of probabilities, both that the representation provided by trial counsel was incompetent and that the incompetent representation resulted in a miscarriage of justice. The appellant must draw the link between the alleged incompetence and the prejudice suffered")
  18. ↑ R v GC, 2018 ONCA 392 (CanLII), 146 WCB (2d) 332, per curiam (3:0), at para 3
  19. ↑ GC, ibid., at para 3
    See also Mistrials
  20. ↑ R v Hobbs, 2020 ABCA 156 (CanLII), AJ No 479, per curiam, at para 22 (" An appellate court’s review of trial counsel’s performance is deferential owing to the broad spectrum of professional judgment that might be considered reasonable. Appellate courts should not be quick to conclude that a defence lawyer’s conduct was deficient because they would have conducted the defence differently")
    R v MacDonald, 2018 ABCA 138 (CanLII), AJ No 448, per curiam, at para 12 ("appellate court’s review of trial counsel’s performance is deferential owing to the broad spectrum of professional judgment that might be considered reasonable. Appellate courts should not be quick to conclude that a defence lawyer’s conduct was deficient because they would have done differently")
    White (ONCA), supra, at para 64

Procedure

The claimant will usually need to adduce fresh evidence by affidavit or oral testimony that sets out the deficiencies in trial counsel. The trial counsel will then be permitted to respond to the allegations. [1]

A court should not "blindly" accept an appellant's affidavit of evidence without any evidence from the trial counsel or trial record suggesting something is wrong.[2]

Unless the transcript confirms the allegations, the appeal counsel should present evidence from trial counsel. Where the transcript raises concerns of competence, the court should order evidence be taken from the trial counsel. If the court is satisfied from the surrounding circumstances and trial transcript that there is no valid concern, then the court can dismiss the appeal at a preliminary stage for failing to establish a factual foundation. In effect, an affidavit from the appellant does not necessarily establish a prima facie case. [3]

Some courts of appeal have protocols for handling appeals on incompetent counsel.[4]

Criticism has been directed at appellants who simply file the trial transcripts and perform a review on the record without any evidence of trial counsel's evidence of motivation or strategy.[5]

  1. ↑ R v O'Keefe (No. 2), 2012 NLCA 25 (CanLII), NJ No 167, per Harrington JA (3:0), at para 14
    R v Freake, 2012 NLCA 10 (CanLII), 989 APR 305, per Welsh and Rowe JA (3:0)
    R v Le (T.D.), 2011 MBCA 83 (CanLII), 275 CCC (3d) 427, per Scott CJ, at para 161
  2. ↑ R v Munson, 2012 MBCA 111 (CanLII), per MA Monnin JA
  3. ↑ Le (T.D.), supra, at para 178
  4. ↑ Munson, supra see appendix
  5. ↑ R v Ramos, 2020 MBCA 111 (CanLII), per Mainella JA, at para 134 (appealed to SCC on other grounds)
    R v Joanisse, 1995 CanLII 3507 (ON CA), 102 CCC (3d) 35, per Doherty JA at p. 58 (CCC)

Prejudice

The third branch of the GDB test is the "prejudice component."[1] If not prejudice is found there is no need to continue to the second "performance component."[2]

There are two recognized ways to establish prejudice:[3]

  1. the appellant must establish that there is a reasonable probability that the verdict would have been different had he received effective legal representation; or
  2. he must show that his counsel’s conduct deprived him of a fair trial.

A "reasonable probability" means there is a "probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome."[4]


  1. ↑ R v Faudar, 20201 ONCA 226 (CanLII), per Tulloch JA, at para 106
  2. ↑ Faudar, ibid. at para 106
    R v GDB, 2000 SCC 22 (CanLII), [2000] 1 SCR 520, per Major J, at para 29
    R v Hartling, 2020 ONCA 243 (CanLII), 150 OR (3d) 224, per Benotto JA, at para 74
  3. ↑ Faudar, supra, at para 106
  4. ↑ Fraudar, supra, at para 107
    R v Joanisse, 1995 CanLII 3507 (ON CA), 102 CCC (3d) 35, per Doherty JA (3:0), at paras 74, 79-80
    R v Archer, 2005 CanLII 36444 (ON CA), 202 CCC (3d) 60, per Doherty JA (3:0), at para 120
    R v Davies, 2008 ONCA 209 (CanLII}, 77 WCB (2d) 165, per Moldaver JA, at para 37

Miscarriage of Justice

The focus of analysis on an allegation of ineffective counsel should be upon whether ther is a "reasonable possibility" that a miscarriage of justice at trial.[1]

A miscarriage of justice can either be a a produce of procedural unfairness or an unreliable result.[2]

Unreliable Evidence

Most instances of miscarriage of justice will be based on "unreliable verdict."[3]

Unreliability requires that the appellant show that there was "a reasonable possibility that, but for the incompetence, the verdict could have been different."[4]

Procedural Unfairness

Procedural unfairness arises where counsel has "made certain decisions that should have been made by the accused person". This usually relates to the core parts of the proceedings that relate to the accused's "fundamental rights to control his or her own defence."[5] Those fundamental rights consist of:[6]

  • how to plead;
  • waiver of the right to a jury trial; and
  • whether to testify.
  1. ↑ R v GC, 2018 ONCA 392 (CanLII), 146 WCB (2d) 332, per curiam (3:0), at para 3
    R v Stark, 2017 ONCA 148 (CanLII), 347 CCC (3d) 73, per Lauwers JA (3:0), at paras 14 to 15
  2. ↑ R v GDB, 2000 SCC 22 (CanLII), [2000] 1 SCR 520, per Major J (5:0), at para 28 ("Miscarriages of justice may take many forms in this context. In some instances, counsel's performance may have resulted in procedural unfairness. In others, the reliability of the trial's result may have been compromised.")
    Stark, supra, at para 14
  3. ↑ Stark, ibid., at para 15
  4. ↑ Stark, ibid., at para 15
  5. ↑ Stark, ibid., at para 16
    R v Swain, 1991 CanLII 104 (SCC), [1991] 1 SCR 933, per Lamer CJ, at para 35
  6. ↑ Stark, supra, at para 17

Performance of Counsel

Should the claimant make out the prejudice component of the GDB test, then the analysis turns to the "performance component" of analysis.[1]

On this component, there is a "strong presumption" that the counsel's conduct "fell within the wide parameters of reasonable professional assistance.[2]

Failure to File

The failure to file a notice of re-election on time may amount to ineffective counsel.[3]

  1. ↑ R v Faudar, 2021 ONCA 226 (CanLII), per Tulloch JA, at para 108
  2. ↑ Faudar, ibid., at para 108
    R v GDB, 2000 SCC 22 (CanLII), [2000] 1 SCR 520, per Major J (5:0), at para 27
    R v Hartling, 2020 ONCA 243 (CanLII), 150 OR (3d) 224, per Benotto JA, at para 74
  3. ↑ R v Watson, 2023 ONCA 250 (CanLII) (working hyperlinks pending)

Decision to Testify

Trial counsel must be capable of providing advice on the advantages and disadvantages of testifying.[1] There may be a miscarriage of justice where proper advice testify had "reasonable possibility" of affecting the verdict.[2]

Where counsel plans trial strategy around the accused testifying and then at the close of the Crown case, the accused changes his mind, there is no way to force the client to follow the initial instructions.[3]

Failure to Testify

Counsel's disregard of the accused's choice on whether to testify will generally result in a miscarriage of justice.[4] Where it is established that the accused would have testified except for the refusal of counsel to let him do so would be a miscarriage.[5] The key element is the finding of whether the accused actually would have testified but for the advice.[6]

Simply advising against testifying without making the choice for the accused will not be enough.[7]

Where it is in dispute that counsel made the choice for the accused not to testify, there is presumption that counsel know[8]

Evidence such as the likely damage to the accused's case should they have testified can go to the assessment of credibility.[9]

Counsel's refusal to listen to instructions by accused to testify at trial has a strong likelihood of resulting in a miscarriage of justice.[10]

  1. ↑ R v Disher, 2020 ONCA 710 (CanLII), per Gillese JA
  2. ↑ Disher, ibid.
  3. ↑ R v Brigham, 1992 CanLII 3812 (QC CA), 79 CCC (3d) 365, per Fish JA at pp. 381-383 (CCC)
    R v Joanisse, 1995 CanLII 3507 (ON CA), 102 CCC (3d) 35, per Doherty JA
  4. ↑ R v Archer, 2005 CanLII 36444 (ON CA), 202 CCC (3d) 60, per Doherty JA (3:0)
    R v GDB, 2000 SCC 22 (CanLII), [2000] 1 SCR 520, per Major J, at para 34
  5. ↑ See R v Eroma, 2013 ONCA 194 (CanLII), OJ No 1411, per curiam (3:0)
    R v Cubillan, 2018 ONCA 811 (CanLII), 49 CR (7th) 339, per van Rensburg JA (3:0), at paras 14 to 15
  6. ↑ e.g. see R v Benham, 2013 BCCA 276 (CanLII), 340 BCAC 26, per Frankel JA (3:0)
  7. ↑ e.g. R v Qiu, 2010 ONCA 736 (CanLII), 268 OAC 352, per Lang JA (3:0) - accused claimed to not understand decision due to poor interpreter
    R v WEB, 2012 ONCA 776 (CanLII), 309 CCC (3d) 44, per curiam (3:0) - lawyer recommended and client agreed at the time not to testify
  8. ↑ Qiu, supra , at para 15
  9. ↑ Qiu, supra
  10. ↑ Eroma, supra

Tactics and Strategy

See also: Accused in Court

The Courts are generally deferential to counsel in their conduct and given them wide latitude with defence strategy.[1] It is understood that different defence counsel will use different trial strategies and tactics, all of which are reasonable. No two lawyers will defend a case in the same way. The art of advocacy is is "highly individualized."[2]

The law should not encourage the practice of an accused to engage a "supine oaf" to "carry out unwise instructions and defence of an overwhelming case." Merely in attempt to set up an argument for incompetent counsel.[3]

Counsel has "implied authority" to make tactical decisions on behalf of the accused.[4]

Appellants are not entitled to a new trial simply "to see if a different tactic will work better."[5]

Reviewing courts should not be engaging in "Monday morning quarterbacking" upon the trial tactics chosen.[6]

It is a misapprehension of counsel's role to advance all evidence and argument suggested by the accused or to obtain approval before taking action in trial.[7]

The accused is not entitled to any control over the form of the examinations done by counsel.[8]

In some situations, the refusal to interview proposed defence witnesses may lead to a miscarriage.[9]

Where experienced accused is aware of deficiencies of counsel and yet expressed satisfaction with counsel, it may lead to finding that the accused intentionally set it up as a ground of appeal.[10]

A refusal to seek a challenge for cause at the jury selection after the accused reasonably raises the need for it can be a denial of the "statutory right to challenge potential jurors."[11]

Quality of Examinations

It is recognized that a cross-examination is a difficult component of trial work and "slips" will occur. There are also a wide variety of legitimate techniques and approaches.[12]

Relevant to the reviewing court's consideration is the trial counsel's explanation for the strategy for the examination.[13]

A mere failure to cross-examine certain witnesses, without more, is speculative of whether examination would have changed the outcome.[14]

An examination that does not satisfy the Rule in Brown v Dunn which results in the defence being prevented from adducing contradictory evidence can be a miscarriage.[15] Similarly, a failure to cross a complainant on the issues of trial while instead focusing on "peripheral" matters may cause a miscarriage.[16]

Counsel who neglects or refuses to use prior statements to cross-examine the complainant on a credibility-based case can be found to breach his duty of competence.[17]

Concessions

Inappropriate concessions, especially when against instructions of accused, may raise a miscarriage.[18] For example, the failure to object to the playing of a recorded statement of the accused which contained bad character evidence can be enough.[19] There can also be problems agreed to admission of prejudicial voir dire evidence.[20]

  1. ↑ R v Kelly 52 OAC 241 (ONCA)(*no CanLII links)
    R v Jim, 2003 BCCA 411 (CanLII), [2003] BCJ No 1663 (CA), per Hall JA (3:0)
  2. ↑ R v LW, 2006 CanLII 7393 (ON CA), [2006] OJ No 955, per Armstrong JA, at para 50
  3. ↑ R v Biscette, 1995 ABCA 234 (CanLII), 99 CCC (3d) 326, per Côté JA (2:1), at para 37
  4. ↑ R v GBD, 2000 SCC 22 (CanLII), [2000] 1 SCR 520, per Major J, at para 35
  5. ↑ R v Meer, 2015 ABCA 141 (CanLII), 323 CCC (3d) 98, per curiam (2:1), at para 32
  6. ↑ R v Lomage, 1991 CanLII 7228 (ON CA), , 2 OR (3d) 621, per Finlayson JA, at para 17
    R v SGT, 2010 SCC 20 (CanLII), [2010] 1 SCR 688, per Charron J (5:2), at para 36
    R v LCT, 2012 ONCA 116 (CanLII), 252 CRR (2d) 223, per O’Connor JA (3:0), at para 54
  7. ↑ R v DiPalma, [2002] OJ No 2684 (ONCA)(*no CanLII links)
    R v Samra, 1998 CanLII 7174 (ON CA), 129 CCC (3d) 144, per Rosenberg JA (3:0)
  8. ↑ R v Faulkner, 2013 ONSC 2373 (CanLII), 282 CRR (2d) 95, per Code J
  9. ↑ e.g. R v Fraser, 2011 NSCA 70 (CanLII), 273 CCC (3d) 276, per Saunders JA (3:0)
  10. ↑ Meer, supra, at paras 33 to 34
  11. ↑ Fraser, supra, at paras 59 to 76
  12. ↑ R v White, 1997 CanLII 2426 (ON CA), 114 CCC (3d) 225, per Laskin and Weiler JJA (3:0), at para 116
  13. ↑ White, ibid., at para 116
  14. ↑ R v RL, 2013 ONCA 504 (CanLII), per Cronk JA (3:0)
    R v Dugas, 2012 NSCA 102 (CanLII), 322 NSR (2d) 72, per Oland JA
  15. ↑ R v Gardiner, 2010 NBCA 46 (CanLII), 934 APR 179, per Richard JA (3:0)
  16. ↑ R v JB, 2011 ONCA 404 (CanLII), per curiam (3:0)
    R v Schmerl, [2012] OJ No 4358(*no CanLII links)
  17. ↑ R v Close, 2005 NSSC 351 (CanLII), 760 APR 294, per Kennedy J, - counsel failed to use a letter for impeachment of the complainant on a case of domestic violence.
  18. ↑ R v Loi, 2013 ONSC 1202 (CanLII), OJ No 779, per Campbell J
  19. ↑ R v Michaud, 2011 NBCA 74 (CanLII), 970 APR 170, per Deschênes JA (3:0)
  20. ↑ R v Smith, 2007 SKCA 71 (CanLII), 223 CCC (3d) 114, per Jackson JA (3:0)

Counsel's Performance

Where counsel's performance is at issue, the applicant must establish that his conduct fell outside of the "wide range of reasonable professional assistance" and that there was "a reasonable possibility that the result at trial would have been different but for his counsel's alleged mistakes."[1]

The level of competence expected is on a reasonableness standard for the particular case at the time.[2] Different counsel may have run a trial in a different manner.[3] The court cannot use the benefit of hindsight in their analysis.[4]

Factors

A failure to review the facts of the case and the accused's version of events until the day of trial can be a factor affecting trial fairness.[5]

Lack of Preparation

A lack of preparation can result in a miscarriage of justice where counsel ends up failing to properly challenge the Crown's case.[6]

Counsel cannot excuse the lack of preparation on account of the limited legal aid hours given.[7]

Ignored or Overlooked Evidence

Counsel who failed to interview a treating doctor to a head injury shortly prior to giving a confession resulted in a miscarriage of justice.[8]

A failure to bring evidence supporting a Carter defence.[9]

  1. ↑ R v Joanisse, 1995 CanLII 3507 (ON CA), [1995] OJ No 2883, per Doherty JA (3:0), at paras 71, 79 to 80
  2. ↑ Joanisse, ibid., at pp. 60-61
  3. ↑ R v Faudar, 2021 ONCA 226 (CanLII), per Tulloch JA, at para 105
  4. ↑ R v LW, 2006 CanLII 7393 (ON CA), [2006] OJ No 955, per Armstrong JA (3:0), at para 50
  5. ↑ R v IBB, 2009 SKPC 76 (CanLII), 339 Sask R 7, per Whalen J, at paras 64 to 73
  6. ↑ R v JL, 2016 ONCA 221 (CanLII), per curiam (3:0), at para 12
    R v DMG, 2011 ONCA 343 (CanLII), 275 CCC (3d) 295, per Watt JA (3:0)
  7. ↑ e.g. R v Smith, 2007 SKCA 71 (CanLII), 223 CCC (3d) 114, per Jackson JA, at para 26
  8. ↑ R v Carr, 2010 ABCA 386 (CanLII), 493 AR 223, per curiam (3:0)
  9. ↑ R v Critchlow, 2011 ONSC 5177 (CanLII), per Desotti J

Informing the Client

Defence counsel's "failure to advise an accused about the available mode of trial may constitute incompetence leading to a miscarriage of justice in the appropriate case."[1]

Preparing client to what to expect when testifying is a necessary step in informing the client on the process and should be done at a time that "reasonably coincide[s]" with the trial itself.[2]

  1. ↑ R v Chica, 2016 ONCA 252 (CanLII), 348 OAC 12, per Cronk JA (3:0), at para 19
    R v Stark, 2017 ONCA 148 (CanLII), 347 CCC (3d) 73, per Lauwers JA (3:0), ("the right to elect the mode of trial under s 536 of the Criminal Code is one of those fundamental rights that counsel cannot take from a client and on which the client is entitled to be adequately advised by counsel.")
  2. ↑ R v Simpson, 2018 NSCA 25 (CanLII), per curiam (3:0), at para 46

Guilty Pleas

See also: Guilty Plea

The failure to properly prepare for trial or develop a strategy while the client maintains his innocence before counsel entered into a plea agreement can amount to a miscarriage of justice due to lack of competence.[1]

Claims of being pressured by counsel should be subject to cross-examination and consideration of credibility.[2]

  1. ↑ see R v DMG, 2011 ONCA 343 (CanLII), 275 CCC (3d) 295, per Watt JA (3:0)
  2. ↑ e.g. R v Ogden, 2013 NSCA 25 (CanLII), 327 NSR (2d) 203, per MacDonald CJ
    and R v Stockely, 2009 NLCA 38 (CanLII), 888 APR 56, per Roberts JA

Case Digests

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