R. v. Chan (M.K.) et al., 2000 ABQB 728

• Judge: Binder, J.
• Court: Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta (Canada)
• Case Date: October 20, 2000
• Citations: 2000 ABQB 728;(2000), 276 A.R. 1 (QB)

R. v. Chan (M.K.) (2000), 276 A.R. 1 (QB)

MLB headnote and full text

Temp. Cite: [2000] A.R. TBEd. NO.012

Her Majesty The Queen (respondent) v. Man Kit Chan, Sai Ming Fok, et al. (applicants)

(Action No. 0003-2182 C5; 2000 ABQB 728)

Indexed As: R. v. Chan (M.K.) et al.

Alberta Court of Queen's Bench

Judicial District of Edmonton

Binder, J.

October 20, 2000.

Summary:

Several accused were charged with conspiracy, participating in a criminal organization and related drug offences. The accused applied for appointment of state funded counsel at rates in excess of the rates authorized by Legal Aid. Other counsel on Legal Aid certificates sought to have their rates topped up to the level that the court deemed appropriate or, alternatively, to withdraw and be appointed at such rate.

The Alberta Court of Queen's Bench allowed the application.

Barristers and Solicitors - Topic 3407

Compensation - Particular matters - Where counsel appointed for accused by court - Over 30 accused were charged by direct indictment with conspiracy, participating in a criminal organization and related drug offences - The trial was expected to be considerably long and complex, with extensive disclosure and numerous witnesses - The accused applied for appointment of state funded counsel at rates in excess of the rates authorized by Legal Aid - The Alberta Court of Queen's Bench held that the Legal Aid rates were not sufficient for such a complex and lengthy case - Further, certain Legal Aid restrictions and limitations would pose real and substantial difficulties with respect to the effective representation of the accused - The court determined the appropriate rates for counsel - The court ordered that an independent court designated adjudicator be appointed to authorize and approve fees and disbursements - The court ordered that counsel be compensated for all reasonable preparation time necessary - Counsel who were on Legal Aid certificates could turn in their certificates and be compensated according to this plan.

Barristers and Solicitors - Topic 3407

Compensation - Particular matters - Where counsel appointed for accused by court - The Alberta Court of Queen's Bench discussed the court's exercise of its inherent jurisdiction to order state funded counsel - The court stated that "it must be demonstrated, on a case-by-case basis, that the Legal Aid rate and/or tariff would probably impede the effectiveness of counsel to the extent that the hearing would be rendered unfair. Thus, this jurisdiction has generally been exercised in unusually long, serious and complex matters. Legal Aid's ability to accommodate counsel in such matters is obviously an important factor in such an analysis." - See paragraphs 55 and 56.

Civil Rights - Topic 4633

Right to counsel - Appointment of counsel by the court or the state - Where accused impecunious - [See first Barristers and Solicitors - Topic 3407 ].

Cases Noticed:

Airey v. Ireland (1979), 2 E.H.R.R. 305, refd to. [para. 2].

Alberta Provincial Judges' Association v. Alberta (1999), 237 A.R. 276; 197 W.A.C. 276; 177 D.L.R.(4th) 418 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 2].

Anderson v. H.M.A. (1996), 8 L.T. 155, refd to. [para. 2].

Artico v. Italy (1980), 3 E.H.R.R. 1, refd to. [para. 2].

R. v. Barrette, [1977] 2 S.C.R. 121; 10 N.R. 321; 29 C.C.C.(2d) 189; 68 D.L.R.(3d) 260, refd to. [para. 2].

Benham v. United Kingdom (1996), 22 E.H.R.R. 283 (Strasbourg Ct.), refd to. [para. 2].

Blake, Cassels & Graydon v. British Columbia (Attorney General) (1995), 60 B.C.A.C. 71; 99 W.A.C. 71 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 2].

Boner v. United Kingdom (1994), 19 E.H.R.R. 246 (Eur. Ct. Hum. Rts.), refd to. [para. 2].

Borgers v. Belgium (1991), 15 E.H.R.R. 246 (Eur. Ct. Hum. Rts.), refd to. [para. 2].

Bulut v. Austria (1996), 24 E.H.R.R. 84, refd to. [para. 2].

Craig v. South Australia (State) (1995), 184 C.L.R. 163 (H.C.A.), refd to. [para. 2].

Daud v. Portugal (1998), 11 E.C.H.R. 740, refd to. [para. 2].

Delcourt v. Belgium (1970), 1 E.H.R.R. 3551, refd to. [para. 2].

De Haes and Gijsels v. Belgium (1997), 25 E.H.R.R. 1, refd to. [para. 2].

Dietrich v. R. (1902), 177 C.L.R. 292 (H.C.A.), refd to. [para. 2].

Dombo Deheer BV v. Netherlands (1993), 18 E.H.R.R. 213, refd to. [para. 2].

Granger v. United Kingdom (1990), 12 E.H.R.R. 469; 174 Eur. Ct. H.R. (ser. A), refd to. [para. 2].

Hoang v. France (1992), 243 Eur. Ct. J.R. (ser. A), refd to. [para. 2].

Jespeers v. Belgium (1981), 27 D.R. 61, refd to. [para. 2].

Kaufman v. Belgium (1984), 50 D. & R. 98 (Eur. Comm. Hum. Rts.), refd to. [para. 2].

Lala v. Netherlands (1994), 297-A Eur. Ct. Hum. Rts. (ser. A), refd to. [para. 2].

Maltez v. Lewis, [1999] T.N.L.R. No. 284 (Ch.), refd to. [para. 2].

Maxwell v. United Kingdom (1994), 19 E.H.R.R. 97, refd to. [para. 2].

Neumeister v. Austria (1968), 1 E.H.R.R. 91, refd to. [para. 2].

New Brunswick (Minister of Health and Community Services) v. J.G. and D.V., [1999] 3 S.C.R. 46; 244 N.R. 276; 216 N.B.R.(2d) 25; 552 A.P.R. 25, refd to. [para. 2].

Pakelli v. Germany (1983), 6 E.H.R.R. 1, refd to. [para. 2].

Poitrimol v. France (1983), 18 E.H.R.R. 130; 277-A Eur. Ct. H.R. (ser. A), refd to. [para. 2].

Quaranta v. Switzerland (1991), Series A/205, refd to. [para. 2].

Roncarelli v. Duplessis, [1959] S.C.R. 121; 16 D.L.R.(2d) 289, refd to. [para. 2].

Stran Greek Refineries v. Greece (1994), 19 E.H.R.R. 293, refd to. [para. 2].

Tripodi v. Italy (1994), 18 E.H.R.R. 295, refd to. [para. 2].

Winters v. Legal Services Society (B.C.), [1999] 3 S.C.R. 160; 244 N.R. 203; 128 B.C.A.C. 161; 208 W.A.C. 161, refd to. [para. 2].

Zimmerman and Steiner v. Switzerland, 6 H.R.R. 17, refd to. [para. 2].

R. v. G.D.B., [2000] 1 S.C.R. 520; 253 N.R. 201; 261 A.R. 1; 225 W.A.C. 1, refd to. [para. 2].

Boucher v. R., [1951] S.C.R. 265, refd to. [para. 2].

R. v. Brydges, [1990] 1 S.C.R. 190; 103 N.R. 282; 104 A.R. 124, refd to. [para. 2].

Reference Re Remuneration of Judges of the Provincial Court (P.E.I.), [1997] 3 S.C.R. 3; 217 N.R. 1; 206 A.R. 1; 156 W.A.C. 1; 121 Man.R.(2d) 1; 158 W.A.C. 1; 156 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 1; 483 A.P.R. 1, refd to. [para. 2].

R. v. Campbell - see Reference Re Remuneration of Judges of the Provincial Court (P.E.I.).

R. v. Ekmecic - see Reference Re Remuneration of Judges of the Provincial Court (P.E.I.).

R. v. Wickman - see Reference Re Remuneration of Judges of the Provincial Court (P.E.I.).

Manitoba Provincial Judges' Association v. Manitoba (Minister of Justice) - see Reference Re Remuneration of Judges of the Provincial Court (P.E.I.).

R. v. Chan (M.K.) (2000), 261 A.R. 351; 225 W.A.C. 351 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 2].

R. v. Fisher, [1997] S.J. No. 530 (Q.B.), refd to. [paras. 2, 3, 4, 45].

R. v. Fogarty (1851), 5 Cox. C.C. 161 (Cr. Ct., Cty. Down), refd to. [para. 2].

R. v. Joanisse (R.) (1995), 85 O.A.C. 186; 102 C.C.C.(3d) 35 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 2].

R. v. Lord Chancellor; Ex parte Witham, [1997] 2 All E.R. 779 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 2].

R. v. Rain (M.M.) (1998), 223 A.R. 359; 183 W.A.C. 359; 130 C.C.C.(3d) 167 (C.A.), refd to. [paras. 2, 3, 4, 42].

R. v. Robinson; R. v. Dolejs (1989), 100 A.R. 26; 63 D.L.R.(4th) 289; 51 C.C.C.(3d) 452 (C.A.), refd to. [paras. 2, 3].

R. v. Rowbotham et al. (1988), 41 C.C.C.(3d) 1 (Ont. C.A.), refd to. [para. 2].

R. v. Schafer (R.C.) (1999), 178 Sask.R. 105 (Q.B.), refd to. [paras. 2, 4, 49].

R. v. Stillman (W.W.D.), [1997] 1 S.C.R. 607; 209 N.R. 81; 185 N.B.R.(2d) 1; 472 A.P.R. 1, refd to. [para. 2].

R. v. Swain, [1991] 1 S.C.R. 933; 125 N.R. 1; 47 O.A.C. 81; 5 C.R.(4th) 253, refd to. [para. 2].

R. v. Valente, [1985] 2 S.C.R. 673; 64 N.R. 1; 14 O.A.C. 79, refd to. [para. 2].

R. v. Wabash (L.C.) (2000), 191 Sask.R. 69 (Q.B.), refd to. [paras. 2, 3, 4, 49].

R. v. Ewing and Kearney (1974), 49 D.L.R.(3d) 619 (B.C.C.A.), refd to. [para. 2].

White, Re (1976), 32 C.C.C.(2d) 478 (Alta. T.D.), refd to. [para. 2].

Manitoba Language Rights Reference, [1985] 1 S.C.R. 721; 59 N.R. 321; 35 Man. R.(2d) 83, refd to. [para. 2].

Reference Re Section 94(2) of the Motor Vehicle Act (B.C.), [1985] 2 S.C.R. 486; 63 N.R. 266, refd to. [para. 2].

R. v. Ledinski (G.) (1998), 172 Sask.R. 97; 185 W.A.C. 97 (C.A. Registrar), refd to. [paras. 2, 4].

Saskatchewan (Attorney General) v. Williams and McBride - see R. v. Ledinski (G.).

Self v. Self, [1954] P. 480, refd to. [para. 2].

Watts v. Official Solicitor, [1936] 1 All E.R. 249, refd to. [para. 2].

Young v. Young and Kohler, [1955] 1 All E.R. 796, refd to. [para. 2].

P. and S. v. Legal Aid Society of Alberta (1994), 164 A.R. 208 (Q.B.), refd to. [paras. 2, 4, 57].

R. v. Teskey (L.M.) (1997), 201 A.R. 8 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 2].

R. v. Teskey (L.M.) (1996), 183 A.R. 55; 38 Alta. L.R.(3d) 246 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 2].

R. v. Cheung (D.) (2000), 267 A.R. 179 (Prov. Ct.), refd to. [paras. 2, 63].

R. v. Drury (L.W.) et al. (2000), 150 Man.R.(2d) 64; 230 W.A.C. 64 (C.A.), refd to. [paras. 3, 4, 42].

Panacui v. Legal Aid Society (Alta.) (1987), 80 A.R. 137; 40 C.C.C.(3d) 459 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 3].

R. v. Wingfield (J.R.) (1998), 174 Sask.R. 304 (Q.B.), refd to. [para. 3].

R. v. Papp (G.P.) (1998), 167 Sask.R. 120 (Q.B.), refd to. [paras. 4, 50].

R. v. Fleming (D.P.) (2000), 189 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 104; 571 A.P.R. 104 (Nfld. T.D.), refd to. [paras. 4, 51].

J.W. v. M.E.S., [2000] B.C.T.C. 746 (S.C.), refd to. [paras. 4, 52].

R. v. Rockwood (1989), 91 N.S.R.(2d) 305; 233 A.P.R. 305; 49 C.C.C.(3d) 129 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 42].

R. v. Potts (L.) (1995), 136 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 178; 423 A.P.R. 178 (P.E.I.C.A.), refd to. [para. 42].

R. v. Howell (D.M.) (1995), 146 N.S.R.(2d) 1; 422 A.P.R. 1 (C.A.), affd. [1996] 3 S.C.R. 604; 203 N.R. 247; 155 N.S.R.(2d) 58; 457 A.P.R. 58, refd to. [para. 42].

Authors and Works Noticed:

Abel, A.S., Materials Proper for Consideration in Certiorari to Tribunals: 1 (1963), 15 U.T.L.J. 102, generally [para. 2].

Arango, J., and Daly, M., The Alberta Legal Aid Society: An Assessment After Ten Years of Operation (Second Draft) (1985), generally [para. 2].

Austria & Italy, European Commission of Human Rights, (1961), 4 Yearbook Eur. Convention on Hum. Rts. 116, generally [para. 2].

Breger, Legal Aid for the Poor: A Conceptual Analysis (1982), 60 N.C.L. Rev. 282, generally [para. 2].

Canadian Bar Association Standing Committee, National Legal Aid Liason Committee, Legal Aid Delivery Models: A Discussion Paper (1987), generally [para. 2].

Canadian Bar Association, The Provision of Legal Services in Canada (1985), generally [para. 2].

Cappelletti, M., Gordley, J., and Johnson, E., Toward Equal Justice: A Comparative Study of Legal Aid in Modern Societies: Text and Materials (1975), generally [para. 2].

Carter, R.C., Report of the Saskatchewan Legal Aid Committee (1973), in Report of Saskatchewan Legal Aid Review Committee (1992), p. 5 [para. 2].

Daisley, B., B.C. Legal Aid Deficit Down $6 Million (January 14, 2000), Lawyers Weekly, p. 3 [para. 2].

Des Rosiers, N., The Legal and Constitutional Requirements for Legal Aid, in Report of the Ontario Legal Aid Review: A Blueprint for Publicly Funded Legal Services (1997), 2 Ont. Leg. Aid Rev. 503, generally [para. 2].

Donald Marshall Jr., Prosecution Report - see Nova Scotia, Royal Commission on the Donald Marshall, Jr. Prosecution Report (1989).

Dyzenhaus, D., Normative Justifications for the Provision of Legal Aid, in Report of the Ontario Legal Aid Review: A Blueprint for Publicly Funded Legal Services (1997), 2 Ont. Leg. Aid Rev. 477, generally [para. 2].

Gold, A.D., Miscarriages of Justice (August 29, 1998), 19:3 Crim. Lawyers Assn. Newsletter 9, generally [para. 2].

Gordley, J. Variations on a Modern Theme, in Cappelletti, Gordley and Johnson, Toward Equal Justice: A Comparative Study of Legal Aid in Modern Societies, Text and Materials (1975), generally [para. 2].

Halsbury's Laws of England, vol. 44, para. 99 [para. 2].

Havelock, J, Memorandum to the Honourable Ken Rostad Re: Review of Legal Aid Policies and Operations in Alberta, generally [para. 2].

Humphreys, C., The Duties and Responsibilities of Prosecuting Counsel, [1955] Crim. L.R. 739, generally [para. 2].

Janzen, L, Legal Aid Serving Alberta 1973 - 1998: A History of the Legal Aid Society of Alberta (1999), generally [para. 2].

Lamer, A., The Rule of Law and Judicial Independence: Protecting Core Values in Times of Change (1996), 45 U.N.B.L.J. 3, generally [para. 2].

Maloney, A., and Tomlinson, P.V., in Salhany, Roger E., and Carter, Robert J., Studies in Canadian Criminal Evidence (1972), ch. 10, generally [para. 2].

Mendes, E.P., Interpreting the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms: Applying International and European Jurisprudence on the Law and Practice of Fundamental Rights (1982), 20 Alta. L. Rev. 383, generally [para. 2].

Nova Scotia, Royal Commission on the Donald Marshall, Jr., Prosecution Report, Findings and Recommendations (1989), vol. 1 [para. 2].

Nova Scotia, Royal Commission on the Donald Marshall, Jr., Prosecution Report, Walking the Tightrope of Justice: an Examination of the Office of the Attorney General - A Series of Opinion Papers (1989), vol. 5 [para. 2].

Raz, J., The Rule of Law and its Virtue, [1977] 93 Law Q. Rev. 195, generally [para. 2].

Renke, W., Invoking Independence: Judicial Independence as a No-cut Wage Guarantee, Points of View No. 5, Alberta Centre for Constitutional Studies (1994), generally [para. 2].

Salhany, Roger E., and Carter, Robert J., Studies in Canadian Criminal Evidence (1972), generally [para. 2].

Saskatchewan Legal Aid Review Committee Report (November 1992), generally [para. 2].

Schneiderman, D., and Graydon, C.F., An Appeal to Justice: Publicly Funded Appeals and R. v. Robinson; R. v. Dolejs (1990), 28 Alta. L. Rev. (No. 4) 873, generally [para. 4].

Sopinka, John, and Gelowitz, Mark A., The Conduct of an Appeal (1993), generally [para. 2].

Sopinka, John, Advocacy in the Top Court (1995), 4:4 The National 38, generally [para. 2].

Summers, R.S., A Formal Theory of the Rule of Law (1993), 6:2 Ratio Juris 127, generally [para. 2].

Counsel:

Marvin Bloos and Thomas Engel, for the applicants;

Bradley Reitz and Cynthia Dickins, for the respondent.

This application was heard on October 3 to 6, 10 to 13, 16 and 17, 2000, before Binder, J., of the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench, Judicial District of Edmonton, who delivered the following judgment on October 20, 2000.