Author Archives: Anita Szigeti

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About Anita Szigeti

• 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

WiCCD’s Statement on the War in the Middle East – Oct 13 2023

Posted on October 13, 2023 by Anita Szigeti

Women in Canadian Criminal Defence (WiCCD) released this Statement on the War in the Middle East on Oct 13 2023.

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LAMDA Statement On the War in the Middle East – 2023

Posted on October 11, 2023 by Anita Szigeti

On Oct 11 2023, the Law and Mental Disorder released this Statement on the War in the Middle East

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Halsbury’s Mental Health Law 2023 Reissue — Now Available — October 2023

Posted on October 5, 2023 by Anita Szigeti

This beautiful and important encyclopedic compilation of civil mental health laws across Canada is finally out in 2023. It is only updated and reissued every four years. An important resource for those working in this area of law, you can … Continue reading →

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Erin Dann Receives WiCCD WOMAN AWARD 2023

Posted on October 5, 2023 by Anita Szigeti

On October 4, 2023, criminal defence lawyer exraordinaire Erin Dann received WiCCD’s 2023 WiCCD WOMAN AWARD! Erin has successfully overturned more NCR Verdicts than anyone – joking her specialty is getting convictions for her clients! A champion of her women … Continue reading →

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Access to Justice means barrier-free hybrid access to tribunal proceedings – Law360 opinion piece Oct 2 2023

Posted on October 2, 2023 by Anita Szigeti

I am a lawyer with significant expertise in both civil and criminal mental health / mental disorder law. I’m about to publish book #5 covering the intersection of many of these issues. I am increasingly becoming deeply troubled by the … Continue reading →

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LAMDA and WiCCD letter to the Ontario Review Board May 17 2023 re: proposed return to in person hearings

Posted on September 29, 2023 by Anita Szigeti

Here is our initial letter for LAMDA and WiCCD, which we followed up twice as our memberships grew in the last four months and we added more information about how things were unfolding on the ground. A significant number of … Continue reading →

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Who Cares about WiCCD?? New Special Dropping Sunday Sept 24, 2023 – All About WiCCD!!

Posted on September 23, 2023 by Anita Szigeti

I had so much fun today with wonderful WiCCD Exec members Maya Shukairy and Amanda Ross recording a special episode of WiCCD’s Who Cares?? Series all about WiCCD. Over your morning cuppa, Women in Canadian Criminal Defence invites you to … Continue reading →

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Toronto Star Article regarding BC day pass stabbing – Sept 16 2023

Posted on September 16, 2023 by Anita Szigeti

I’m quoted cautioning against a knee-jerk overreaction to a tragic event that is an outlier within forensic psychiatric systems. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/bunch-of-idiots-victim-relatives-query-psychiatric-releases-lawyers-urge-caution/article_bd6c4536-81e3-50fe-aa4f-96317fd54183.html ‘Bunch of idiots’: Victim relatives query psychiatric releases, lawyers urge caution Victim relatives question psychiatric releases VANCOUVER – Rebecca Mayrhofer … Continue reading →

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Marco Sciarra Receives the WiCCD Ally Award 2023

Posted on September 14, 2023 by Anita Szigeti

On September 13, 2023 criminal defence lawyer extraordinaire Marco Sciarra received The WiCCD Ally Award for 2023. Marco becomes the second recipient of this award in WiCCD’s not quite two year history – the inaugural award went to John Struthers. … Continue reading →

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My Plate is Full But My Cup Runneth Over

Posted on September 4, 2023 by Anita Szigeti

I had to look up that reference, truth be told, what with English being my 4th of now 5 languages and my biblical knowledge somehow managing to surpass nonexistent – like what I know or think I know is inevitably, … Continue reading →

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