2022 Media coverage
We’re proud to make the news regularly, to share our expertise widely, and ultimately to shift public opinion, laws, and policies…
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186 results for: Access to justice
2021 Annual Report
Read our 2021 Annual Report to learn about West Coast LEAF’s work for gender justice in the 2020/2021 fiscal year. Publications
Breaking: We’re back at the Supreme Court of Canada!
We’re headed to the Supreme Court of Canada tomorrow for a case that will affect how courts identify family violence, protect survivors, and ensure the best interests of children. Barendregt v Grebliunas is about when and how an appeal court can consider new information when deciding a family law appeal. However, it also raises concerns about whether … Read more Breaking: We’re back at the Supreme Court of Canada!
Barendregt v Grebliunas [2021]
Case summary This case is about when and how an appeal court can consider new information when deciding an appeal of a family law decision. From a bigger picture perspective, it is also about how deferential (respectful) appeal courts should be towards factual findings by trial judges, including findings of family violence. The parties in … Read more Barendregt v Grebliunas [2021]
Re-Envisioning Public Legal Education and Information (PLEI)
In 2020-2021, we undertook an in-depth analysis of public legal education and information, exploring how to facilitate learning about the law…
New report offers wise practices for learner-centred, justice-seeking legal education
West Coast LEAF has long believed that one of the best ways to advance legal rights is to support people to know their rights and understand how to use them. At the same time, we know that legal rights on paper are often painfully disconnected from people’s real lives. Legal recourse can be hard or … Read more New report offers wise practices for learner-centred, justice-seeking legal education
We’re at the Supreme Court of Canada today to fight for protections for sexual assault survivors in criminal trials
A two-day hearing that has significant implications for how courts handle sexual assault cases is underway at the Supreme Court of Canada. We are intervening alongside Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre, formerly WAVAW Rape Crisis Centre, in the two appeals being heard together—R. v J.J. and A.S. v Her Majesty the Queen et al. These cases are about … Read more We’re at the Supreme Court of Canada today to fight for protections for sexual assault survivors in criminal trials
Release: Supreme Court set to review protections for sexual assault survivors in criminal trials
VANCOUVER, UNCEDED COAST SALISH HOMELANDS – A two-day hearing that has significant implications for how courts handle sexual assault cases commences today at the Supreme Court of Canada. West Coast LEAF and Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre (formerly WAVAW Rape Crisis Centre) (“the Coalition”) are intervening together in two appeals being heard at the same … Read more Release: Supreme Court set to review protections for sexual assault survivors in criminal trials
Defending the privacy and equality rights of sexual assault survivors
West Coast LEAF and Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre, formerly WAVAW, have been granted leave to jointly intervene in two appeals before the Supreme Court of Canada that address the constitutionality of new protections for complainants in sexual assault trials. The cases, R. v J.J. (an appeal and cross-appeal arising out of BC), and A.S. v Her Majesty the Queen (an … Read more Defending the privacy and equality rights of sexual assault survivors
Release: Supreme Court of Canada improves child support law, addressing economic insecurity of single mothers and their children
The Supreme Court of Canada released its decision in Colucci v Colucci today, setting out much-needed clarifications in child support law that will make it easier for single mothers to receive the child support that they are owed. The Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF) and West Coast LEAF are thrilled that the Court adopted many of the arguments that they set … Read more Release: Supreme Court of Canada improves child support law, addressing economic insecurity of single mothers and their children