Defence lawyers ‘cringe’ at ‘unconstitutional’ new sex-assault case rules in justice bill

As Bill C-51 heads for Senate study, lawyers say part of it could infringe on the rights of the accused.

Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould tabled Bill C-51, which would change legal rules around sexual assault cases, in June. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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BY CHARELLE EVELYN

January 24, 2018

Some defence lawyers are looking to the Senate to fix a government justice bill they say would make unconstitutional changes to the way courts deal with sexual assault cases. The wide-ranging Bill C-51 cleared the House of Commons on Dec. 11 and will be in front of the Upper Chamber during the upco...

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