It’s been almost impossible for me to attend in person to argue my roughly 20 appeals this calendar year in the Ontario Court of Appeal.

That’s a remarkable, unprecedented number of appeals argued this year – including a civil mental health case even though those rarely reach this level of review. I’ve also been successful for my clients in nine of these appeals to date – and the year is not quite out. Again, a remarkable and unprecedented run!

On Friday, November 15, I suddenly felt up to going down to the Court in person for the first time in a long time. I’ve been appearing virtually for most of the last set of appeals for a host of reasons, including health concerns, lack of time, overwhelm and in some cases because appearing by Zoom is more effective for the case at hand, but more to the point, my clients and their supportive families and friends often observe by Zoom. In that case, it’s much easier for them to see my role in the appeal on their behalf if I am also appearing on camera. Most of the Review Board accused persons who are Appellants cannot attend in person, so this lets them engage with the process and have an up close experience of my submissions.

However, on this day my client was not observing virtually, I felt physically healthy enough to go, I had the time to attend in person and most importantly, perhaps, my waist-coat and gowns, which I wore pre-pandemic, finally FIT AGAIN. So rather than being limited to the more forgiving one piece zippered gown I had been sporting for virtual appearances of late, I did the whole routine with skirt, waistcoat and all – must confess, felt pretty great!

For anyone who is interested in my relationship to my Court robes, here is the evolution of my gowning story up to the necessity of investing in the comfy, almost sleeping-bag like onesie, with an earlier luxurious expenditure on tailor-made outfit, to which I am slowly returning now as I work on my health.

I still wear a mask in Court, except sometimes while I make submissions so I can be more clearly heard. I may be the only one still masking, but that too makes me more comfortable while appearing in person.

All in all, it was a great day – I was happy to be warmly received as a surprise in person appearance made for a very warm outing in our province’s beautiful top appellate Court.