Legal analysis
Read the reasoning.
Long-form analysis of significant criminal, appellate, administrative and animal-law decisions. General information only—not legal advice.
R. v. Abernethy 2025 BCPC 201
Neglect, Sentience, and Sentence: R. v. Abernethy and the Structure
Allen v British Columbia (Attorney General), 2026 BCSC 599
Allen v. British Columbia (Attorney General): A Procedure Case Every
The State Bars’ Amicus Brief, Re: Executive Orders
When Government Punishes the Lawyer: What This State-Bar Brief Teaches
R v Kanwal, 2026 ABKB 152
Appealing R v Kanwal: the real defence ground is the
A.K. v. BCSPCA
When Good Intentions Are Not Enough: A.K. v. BCSPCA and
United States v. Maloney, 755 F.3d 1044 (9th Cir. 2014)
United States v. Maloney: Rebuttal Sandbagging, Effective Assistance, and Prosecutorial
Eliason v. S.P.C.A., 2004 BCSC 1773
Eliason v. S.P.C.A.: A Short Judgment with a Clear Core
R. v. RE, 2025 ONSC 2795
Competence Is Trial Control: Lessons from R. v. RE R.
R. v. Puttonen, 2026 BCSC 320
Competence Is More Than Knowing the Law: What R. v.
R. v. McGuinness, 2026 BCPC 46
Appealing R. v. McGuinness: when a firearm conviction rests on
Pearsall v. BCSPCA
When Distress Is Proven but Return Is Still Ordered: Pearsall
Binnersley v. BCSPCA, 2014 BCSC 2338
Binnersley v. BCSPCA: Why B.C. Animal-Seizure Cases Turn on Timing,
BC SPCA v. BC FIRB, 2013 BCSC 2331
The Case That Defined Animal-Custody Appeals in British Columbia When
R v LY, 2026 ABCJ 36
R v LY, 2026 ABCJ 36: an arguable appeal, but not a strong one on the written reasons alone.
How B.C.’s “SPCA Act” Works
How B.C.’s “SPCA Act” Works: A Plain-English Guide to Powers,
Cowichan Tribes v. Canada, 2025 BCSC 1490
Appealing Cowichan Tribes v. Canada: where the real appellate fight
R. v. Leippi, 2026 BCPC 26
Appealing a Wildfire Act Drone Conviction: R. v. Leippi and