Quebec Court of Appeal: Annual General Meeting

Overview

This annual general meeting was an opportunity to reflect on the various social and political  trends that are calling into question the role traditionally played by the courts in Western democracies  such as ours. Participants heard from experts who approached the subject from different angles. Objective: The objectives of this program were to help Court of Appeal judges improve their knowledge  of the issues that influence judicial reform and how the social context influences and is influenced by  their decisions. Participants were able to gain critical perspectives from all angles and understand the  public's perception of the judicial system. 

Summary

This program focused on the changing public perception of the judicial system here and  elsewhere. Judges heard from a former Israeli Supreme Court judge and an expert on judicial  independence. In the criminal context, participants were able to explore the role of judges in prevention  and deterrence, and their real ability to control crime in our society. A panel of experts exploring  Quebecers' perceptions of the judicial system then gave participants an opportunity to take stock of the  relationship between trust in the media and the impact of the media on perceptions, misinformation,  social media and the influences of international politics. Closing remarks focused on judicial discipline  through the prism of public law values, particularly in the context of the recent reform of the complaints  and discipline procedure for federally appointed judges.