In The News
Josh Arnold comments re: Juror No Shows
“Human nature being what it is, there may be some apathy, there may be some misunderstanding of what the process is really about,” says Josh Arnold, vice-president of the Nova Scotia Criminal Lawyers Association.
Josh Arnold represents suspended police officer
A Halifax Regional Police officer who’s been suspended with pay since his November 2010 arrest has collected about $200,000 from the force.
Josh Arnold: Lawyer Laments Loss of Lab
Loss of RCMP firearm labs will hurt police, critics say.
After the Error recounts positive changes in the wake of medical mistakes
Working as a B.C. coroner for 10 years, from 1993 to 2003, Susan McIver became well-acquainted with death. Over the phone from her home in Summerland, McIver emphasizes to the Straight that coroners don’t find fault...
Patients’ odds of winning medical malpractice suits in Canada aren’t good, says new book
The chances of a patient winning a medical malpractice lawsuit against a doctor in Canada are slim, according to a new book entitled After the Error: Speaking Out About Patient Safety to Save Lives...
A Primer on Class Actions
John McKiggan interviewed on Information Morning explaining the challenges of class actions.
Lawyer John McKiggan tells us how the system works for people who are part of a class action suit.
Sudden Impact
John McKiggan's article in Lawyers Weekly about liability for sports concussions.
Nothing went well for the Detroit Tigers in the World Series, but it could have been worse. I’m talking about Game 2, when Tigers pitcher Doug Fister took a line drive to the head from Gregor Blanco.
Survivor haunted by memories of residential school
On Saturday, he and 17 other survivors of Canada’s residential schools will lead a community procession in Waycobah to unveil a special monument and exhibit dedicated to survivors. The event is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m.
Church had duty to flag allegations: lawyers
MONCTON, N.B. – A Roman Catholic diocese in New Brunswick should have notified police immediately when it heard last year that two priests were alleged to have sexually abused children, say two lawyers who have represented victims of abuse by clergymen...
Halifax Criminal Defence Lawyer Josh Arnold Successful in Defending Former Cole Harbour Teacher Antoine Fraser
Class Action Eyed in KHI Case
Former Knowledge House Inc. shareholders have hired a Halifax law firm to investigate a potential class action aimed at recouping the money they lost when the e-learning company collapsed in 2001.
Sex Abuse Settlement Wraps Up
The Diocese of Antigonish will try to close a dark chapter in its history this week as it wraps up a sex abuse settlement with 125 people, but the lawyer representing them says they continue to heal their emotional wounds.
Josh Arnold Assists Cocaine Trafficker Receive Minimum Federal Sentence
A former Halifax fitness trainer and bodybuilding champion has been sentenced to two years in prison for possessing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
Class action eyed in Knowledge House case
John Mckiggan interviewed about plans to file a class action on behalf of former Knowledge House shareholders
R. v. Banfield (Trial decision)
Shawn Banfield plead guilty to offences involving drugs (cocaine and marijuana) and guns (a loaded shotgun). The Crown argued that the sentences for guns and drugs had to be consecutive to each other. Josh Arnold and Ron Pizzo argued on behalf of Mr. Banfield that the sentences should be concurrent. The trial judge agreed with Josh Arnold and Ron Pizzo and ordered concurrent sentences for the drugs and guns. The Crown appealed.
R. v. Banfield (Appeal decision)
The Crown appealed the Supreme Court's decision to grant Shawn Banfield a concurrent sentence for guns and drugs. In upholding the trial judge's decision agreeing with Josh Arnold's original argument, and Ron Pizzo and Ian Hutchison's argument on appeal, the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal ruled that the trial judge: "...in her thorough decision took all applicable principles of sentencing, including totality, into consideration before determining an appropriate sentence."
Lawyer on Mission to Stop Car-Related Child Deaths
Halifax injury lawyer John McKiggan has started a Canadian branch of the US organization KidsAndCars. The group has been shedding light on so-called "backover accidents".
No regulations in Canada to protect children from vehicles in reverse
Global news interviews injury lawyer John McKiggan, Chair of Kids and Cars Canada about the dangers of 'back-over" injuries to children.
More data needed for backover collisions involving kids: safety organization
Kids and Cars Canada Chair, John McKiggan calls for better information collection to help prevent injuries to children.
'Backover' accidents a hidden problem - Kids and Cars Canada comments
The scene held no forewarning of automotive tragedy: nearing noon, clear day, balmy temperatures, empty parking lot...
John McKiggan's interview on CBC's Information Morning regarding what effect Msg. Lynn's conviction for Child Endangerment will have in Canada
U.S. court decision holds church official accountable for covering up abuse
John McKiggan is a partner at Arnold McKiggan Hutchison who has been representing survivors of childhood abuse for almost two decades.
Josh Arnold, President of the Nova Scotia Criminal Lawyers’ Association, speaking about RCMP Lab closure
“Any delay in the criminal justice system is problematic,” said Josh Arnold, president of the Nova Scotia Criminal Lawyers Association. Testing Crown evidence and getting a fair trial in a reasonable amount of time are paramount, Arnold said.
Josh Arnold comments on: RCMP to close labs in Halifax, Winnipeg, Regina
Josh Arnold, president of the Nova Scotia Criminal Lawyers Association, said he was concerned about the impact the Halifax lab's closing would have on criminal trials. "Justice delayed is justice denied. An accused person is constitutionally entitled to a trial within a reasonable period of time," Arnold said.
Josh Arnold Argues Successfully For Mistrial In Cocaine Trafficking Case
Facebook postings could hurt injury claims, lawyers warn
Police Probe Woman's Claims of Fraud, Robbery
Police are investigating a bizarre complaint from an Ontario woman who claims she was robbed and defrauded of $23,000 in cash when she came to Halifax in June to help bail her boyfriend out of jail on fraud charges.
Four Navy Members Accused of Impersonating Police
Four members of the Royal Canadian Navy talk outside Dartmouth provincial court Wednesday after their arraignment on a charge of impersonating police. From left are Scott Broderick, Bronson Mahnke, Nicholas Brownhill and John Proctor.
Crown Drops 92 Counts of Credit Card Fraud
An Ontario man has been fined $4,500 for using fraudulent credit cards in the Halifax area last spring.
Sports and Scouts at Risk of Liability
John McKiggan’s article in Lawyers Weekly Magazine regarding liability of Sports organizations and the Boys Scouts for sexual abuse by volunteers
Josh Arnold Helps Correct Wrongful Conviction
Man will be retried on cocaine charges.
A Halifax man’s trial on a charge of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking has ended in a mistrial.
Mark Anthony Austin Callender, 38, was charged in August 2007 after police seized three kilograms of coke that had been delivered to his residence. The drugs had a street value of about $300,000.
Read more...New Brunswick village divided over vote to remove late priest’s name from arena
Halifax-area lawyer John McKiggan, who has worked with other victims of Catholic sexual abuse, said he’s received calls about Léger in the past, but he’d never been retained by any victims.
Read more...Crown agrees to sailor's release on robbery charges
A member of the Royal Canadian Navy accused of committing two armed robberies in Halifax last month will be released from custody once he posts $5,000 cash bail.
John McKiggan remembers Nora Bernard at Truth and Reconciliation Hearings
Video from the Truth and Reconciliation Hearings memorial tribute to Nora Bernard.
John McKiggan Nominated for National Award for Exemplary Journalism
WINNIPEG – Beyond Borders ECPAT Canada announces the 2011 nominees for exemplary journalism covering issues related to the sexual exploitation of children.
Read more...The Catholic Church and sexual abuse
John McKiggans article published in Lawyers Weekly magazine.
Miscarriage of Justice Corrected
Court of Appeal grants new trial for wrongful conviction.
John McKiggan Interviewed by 570 News About the Dangers of Children Being Left in Cars
John McKiggan's Interview with Scott Kitching
98.1 Free FM | Blackburn Radio (London)
Halifax Lawyer Calls for "Catastrophic" Auto Insurance
McKiggan says medical benefits too low for severely injured
Boy Pinned Between Cars Awarded $1.4M
A Nova Scotia boy who was left permanently disabled after being involved in a car accident has been awarded more than $1.4 million by the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia.
John McKiggan interviewed about criminal records checks for volunteers.
CBC radio interviews John McKiggan: Topics discussed include vicarious liability of organizations for sexual abuse by volunteers and conducting criminal records checks to screen volunteers for past sexual offences.
CBC Radio's interview with Robert Bowden about the Antigonish Diocese Class Action
Abuse Apology Changed Life of Cape Breton Man
CBC's Tom Murphy interviews Robert, one of the class members in the Antigonish Diocese class action. Robert describes the importance of the class action to him.
John McKiggan's interview with Todd Battis
Former Bishop Pleads Guilty to Child Porn Charge
CTV news coverage of charges against Raymond Lahey includes video of John McKiggan's interview with Todd Battis.
Settlement Cheques Coming
Chronicle Herald reports on payments about to be made under Antigonish Diocese class action settlement.
Halifax Cop’s Lawyer in Court for Arraignment
A Halifax Regional Police officer did not show up in court Monday for his arraignment on three criminal charges.
Military's Former Gay Policy Could Cost Feds
John McKiggan was interviewed by CBC National news about how the Canadian military's former policy of hunting down and firing gays and lesbians could result in a class action lawsuit against the federal government.
Lawsuit Filed Against Diocese of Yarmouth Alleging Sexual Abuse by Priest
Another lawsuit has been filed against the Roman Catholic Diocese in Yarmouth involving allegations of sexual abuse involving a former priest, but it’s not the same priest named in lawsuits that were filed a year ago.
Unsettled: John McKiggan makes cover of Canadian Lawyer Magazine
January 2010 Canadian Lawyer magazine profiles John McKiggan about his groundbreaking sexual abuse class action against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Antigonish.
Read more...Woman Alleges Decade of Abuse by N.S. Priest
Globe and Mail Jan. 5, 2010 Coverage of Linda Deschamps claim against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Antigonish
Settlement reached in lawsuit against N.S. diocese over alleged sex abuse
Alison Auld Canadian Press August 7, 2009 reports on Ron Martin's class action against the Diocese of Antigonish.
Lawyer offers help to sexual abuse victims
Telegraph Journal article about sexual abuse charges against former priest Levi Noel.
Read more...N.S. diocese makes $13M sex-abuse settlement
The Canadian Press reported that Ronald Martin has reached a settlement agreement with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Antigonish in his class action seeking compensation for survivors of sexual abuse by priests of the Diocese.
Sex-Abuse Suit Alleges Conspiracy by Catholic Church
CBC's coverage of Ron Martin's class action against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Antigonish
N.S. Judge Rules Driver, Owners of Vehicle Liable in Mishap that Crushed Boy
A judge of the Nova Scotia Supreme Court has struck out defences filed by the driver and owners of a vehicle that severely brain injured a boy in a car accident eight years ago.
Threats suspect surrenders
Last December, Halifax Regional Police charged Cory Patrick Melvin with threatening the lives of two witnesses in a Spryfield home invasion.
Death of woman who filed landmark lawsuit is called suspicious
Police are investigating what they described as "the suspicious death" of an aboriginal woman who successfully filed a landmark lawsuit against the federal government on behalf of residential school survivors.
Police investigate death at Bernard's home
In the 12 years it took for Nora Bernard to win the largest class-action suit in Canadian history, she lived on an old-age pension. But the Halifax lawyer who helped her fight for fellow survivors of the residential school system said she always accepted their collect calls.
Police probe native activist's death
Police are investigating what they're calling the suspicious death of aboriginal rights activist Nora Bernard, whose body was found in her Truro home early Thursday morning.
Davey Paul deserved better
Eleanor Roosevelt said that you have to accept whatever comes and the only important thing is that you meet it with courage and with the best you have to give.
Moncton family receives $2.9M injury settlement
A New Brunswick family has received a multimillion-dollar settlement after their son suffered brain damage during dental surgery five years ago.
Pair charged in break-in, theft, five fires
Jimmy Melvin Jr. and Andrew Jason Hudder were arraigned in Halifax provincial court on 14 charges relating to five fires and a break-in and theft.
Solitary Taking Toll on Melvin
Jimmy Melvin Jr. says all the time he’s spent in solitary confinement in jail is taking a mental toll on him.
Judge Scolds Officer for Lying in Court
A metro man who admitted in court to being involved in criminal activity will not be prosecuted on a slew of drug and weapons charges because a Halifax Regional Police officer lied on the stand and officers unlawfully searched the man's home.
Drug Case Evidence Tossed
It seemed a stroke of luck for Halifax Regional Police that a pair of officers responding to a car accident last year found a large quantity of drugs and a loaded handgun stashed in one of the damaged vehicles.
Woman Claims Witnesses in Danger
Witnesses in a double murder case have been threatened and even more will be in danger if the two men charged are released on bail next week, says a resident of the community rocked by the killings two years ago.
Duo Accused in 06 Killings Freed on Bail
Two men charged in a double homicide who have been in custody for 17 months were released on bail Wednesday after a brief court appearance in Halifax.
Takedown - Man Arrested after Police Swoop Down on Dartmouth Hotel
A 24-year old man who may be linked to what looks like an escalating war between two rival metro groups was arrested after police swooped down on a Dartmouth hotel yesterday.
Melvin Pleads Guilty to Breaking Curfew, Gets 82 Days in Jail
Security was tight yesterday for the court appearance of a Halifax man arrested after a two week police hunt. A man with possible links to what looks like a brewing battle between rival crooks that includes the murder of a convicted drug dealer.
Cop Confusion - Fugitive Used Fake ID to Drive Around with Police, Helping Them Look for Himself
Police had the perfect ally in their hunt for Jimmy Melvin- Jimmy Melvin himself.
Unwritten Code of Silence most Unfortunate, Judge Says
It's called the code. Before Norman Lawrence's first-degree murder trial, its likely most Nova Scotians had never heard of it.
Miguel's Bombshell - Lawyers Huddle as Story Changes
Defence lawyers at the Maersk Dubai extradition hearing had a special gleam in their eyes yesterday.
Dubai Hearing Adjourns Early Over Contradictory Testimony
The case against the Taiwanese officers accused of murdering stowaways twisted in several directions Friday as defence lawyers continued to hammer away at the key witness.
Case Against Shackled Woman Fills Binder
The case against a Halifax woman charged in a jailhouse incident that resulted in her being shackled naked to a bed fills a five-centimeter thick binder.
Melvin Gets Bail
James Bernard Melvin took his first breath of free air Friday after almost two years in custody awaiting trial on a slew of charges stemming from a 2007 home invasion.
Melvin Goes from Solitary to the Street
James Bernard Melvin is looking forward to a stiff drink and some family time after spending two gruelling years in prison awaiting trial on a slew of charges that were dismissed Friday because two Crown witnesses changed their stories.
Melvin Free on Bail in Halifax Police Threats
A member of a notorious crime family is back on the streets again.
Police try to Halt Violence Between Feuding Gangs
Police are trying to control what they say is a bloody rivalry in Halifax between drug gangs that has seen shots ring out in front of a children's hospital and another hospital's emergency department forced into lockdown twice in two weeks.
Exotic Sentence
A judge sentenced an exotic entertainer to house arrest yesterday, but the sentence still allows her to peel off to earn a living.
Docs Pan Discipline Process
Two Halifax doctors facing internal complaints about their conduct have been in professional limbo since the allegations were made more than two years ago.
Halifax Murder Case Delayed as Defence Lawyers Drop Out
The defence lawyers in a long-awaited double murder trial have pulled themselves off the case a month before the matter was set to begin in Nova Scotia Supreme Court.
R. v. Aaron Zinck
Nova Scotia criminal defence lawyer, Josh Arnold defends Aaron Zinck, a 19 year-old charged with 2nd degree murder, while defending his family and home from an angry intoxicated mob.
Man Found Not Criminally Responsible for Corpse in Fridge
A Halifax man who kept his mother's corpse in his fridge has been granted an absolute discharge.
Man Freed after Mother Found in Fridge
A Halifax man who stored his mother's corpse in his fridge has been given an absolute discharge.
Halifax Man Freed After 2 Years as Witnesses Recant
After two years behind bars awaiting trial, Jimmy Melvin Jr. shouted "hallelujah" Friday and said he's looking forward to a cold beer as a free man.
A Hot Weekend Reminder for Parents
John McKiggan's interview as Chair of Kidsandcars.org - Canada about the dangers of leaving children in cars in the summer.
