Simon's Legal Resources

Open Court - Personal Recordings

. Meek v. Lacroix

In Meek v. Lacroix (Div Ct, 2026) the Divisional Court illustrates difficulties that parties can have with making personal recordings of court proceedings (perhaps to avoid the expense of transcripts, assuming they are available), which are governed by CJA s.136 ['Prohibition against photography, etc., at court hearing']:

[2] The order of S. Campbell J. dismissed the moving party’s motion seeking a declaration that, pursuant to s. 136(2)(b) of the CJA, she be permitted to make an audio recording of a court hearing for personal use subject only to approval of the method of recording. She sought related declarations that the Consolidated Practice Direction for Family Proceedings in the Superior Court of Justice conflicted with the CJA and that the Practice Direction violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. S. Campbell J. declined to make the requested declarations including declining to determine whether the moving party should be permitted to make audio recordings at other court attendances. However, he did find that the Practice Direction was not in conflict with the CJA and he refused to permit the moving party to record a portion of the motion before him.