Huge congratulations to my defence collagues Sarah Rankin and Heather Ferg from law firm McKay Ferg in Calgary who were co-counsel to the Appellant in one of the most important Criminal Law cases in the last decade, as it is being described by experts. Police must now get search warrants to obtain our IP addresses. Congratulations to these amazing women!!
Women In Canadian Criminal Defence looks forward to posting an interview by M. Shukairy with these trail-blazers to discuss this seminal Judgment from our Supreme Court as soon as possible. We are enormously proud of Sarah Rankin, WiCCD’s VP (Alberta) and of Heather Ferg, a valued WiCCD member as well.
Here is the info about this important case:
Andrei Bykovets v. His Majesty the King (Alberta) (Criminal) (As of Right)
Learn more on the SCC Case Information Page and you can even watch the fascinating oral arguments here:
• Called to the Bar (1992)
• U of T Law grad (1990)
• Sole practitioner (33 years)
• Partner in small law firm (Hiltz Szigeti) 2002 - 2013
• Mom to two astonishing kids, Scarlett (20+) and Sebastian (20-)
• (Founding) Chair of Mental Health Legal Committee for ten years (1997 to 2007)
* Founding President of Law and Mental Disorder Association - LAMDA since 2017
* Founder and Secretary to Women in Canadian Criminal Defence - WiCCD - since 2022
• Counsel to clients with serious mental health issues before administrative tribunals and on appeals
• Former Chair, current member of LAO’s mental health law advisory committee
• Educator, lecturer, widely published author (including 5 text books on consent and capacity law, Canadian civil mental health law, the criminal law of mental disorder, a law school casebook and a massive Anthology on all things mental health and the law)
• Thirty+ years’ experience as counsel to almost exclusively legally aided clients
• Frequently appointed amicus curiae
• Fearless advocate
• Not entirely humourless
anitaszigeti 