Charkaoui (Re)
Subsection 85.4(1) IRPA does not expressly abrogate common law privileges; therefore privileged material in Phase II disclosure may be redacted by the Ministers, but the court must inspect the unredacted documents to determine whether the claimed privileges apply and whether any narrow exceptions warrant de‑redacting; until the court so determines the documents shall remain redacted.
- Citation
- 2009 FC 546
- Parties
- Person Concerned: Adil Charkaoui; Respondent: The Ministers (Canada); Intervener: Barreau du Québec
- Court
- Federal Court
- Jurisdiction
- Canada
- Judgment Date
- 27 May 2009
- Procedural Posture
- Security Certificate (irpa) / Preliminary Hearing on Disclosure/redaction (phase Ii)
- Outcome
- Court ordered that the documents provided to the special advocates remain redacted pending judicial examination to confirm privileges and absence of exceptions
- Legal Topics
- Security Certificates, Disclosure Obligations, Solicitor Client Privilege, Covert Human Source Privilege, Cabinet Confidences, Special Advocate Access
- Source Language
- English
Case Brief
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Adil Charkaoui
Person Concerned
The Ministers (Canada)
Respondent
Barreau du Québec
Intervener
Procedural Posture
Security Certificate (irpa) / Preliminary Hearing on Disclosure/redaction (phase Ii)
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether subsection 85.4(1) IRPA abrogates or precludes application of common law privileges permitting redaction of disclosure provided to the special advocates
- 2 What rules govern requests by special advocates to de‑redact documents provided under Charkaoui II
- 3 Whether CSIS Act ss.18(2) and 19(2) or IRPA s85.1(4) require disclosure that defeats claimed privileges
Ratio Decidendi
Subsection 85.4(1) IRPA does not expressly abrogate common law privileges; therefore privileged material in Phase II disclosure may be redacted by the Ministers, but the court must inspect the unredacted documents to determine whether the claimed privileges apply and whether any narrow exceptions warrant de‑redacting; until the court so determines the documents shall remain redacted.
Court Disposition
Court ordered that the documents provided to the special advocates remain redacted pending judicial examination to confirm privileges and absence of exceptions
Orders
- Documents provided to the special advocates shall remain redacted until the Court has examined them to ensure that they are covered by the privileges alleged and that no exception applies.
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