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

A collage of expressiveness – a litigator’s best tool – our facial expressions

Posted on August 29, 2023 by Anita Szigeti

Someone was kind enough to make me a collage of head-shots from a recent video discussion just to show me how much goes on in our faces while we try to explain complex ideas. Personally, I think I look somewhat … Continue reading →

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Organizations cite A2J, urge AG to assist as Ontario Review Board moves to in-person hearings

Posted on August 22, 2023 by Anita Szigeti

Tuesday, August 22, 2023 @ 2:19 PM | By Amanda Jerome Amanda Jerome of Law360 has reported on some concerns about access to justice raised by LAMDA and WiCCD regarding the Ontario Review Board’s policy of returning to in person … Continue reading →

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Who Cares About Amicus?? A WiCCD Special Episode unpacking the SCC’s Judgment in R v. Kahsai – Aug 13 2023

Posted on August 13, 2023 by Anita Szigeti

Grateful to wonderful WiCCD for addressing this hot topic of “amicus” in their New Episode of “Who Cares?” which airs this morning. It is WiCCD’s 50th video release on our one year old channel. You can claim 0.5 hr of … Continue reading →

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20th Edition of the Guide to Consent and Capacity Law in Ontario is now available – shipping out August 31 2023

Posted on August 2, 2023 by Anita Szigeti

Proud of this 20th printing of this volume I co-author with my former law partner, D’Arcy Hiltz. Technically, next year’s Edition – 2025 will mark 20 years since the first Edition. Grateful to Danann Hawes who first had the idea … Continue reading →

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WiCCD Survey on Specialist Certification – Aug 1 2023

Posted on August 2, 2023 by Anita Szigeti

Over the last few days WiCCD ran a short Survey to gauge women defence lawyers’ views of the Specialist Certification designation by the LSO. The overwhelming majority (nearly 82%) of respondents oppose bringing the designation back, for a host of … Continue reading →

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R v. Kahsai Judgment Release SCC July 28 2023

Posted on July 28, 2023 by Anita Szigeti

Despite that the appeal was lost, the Judgment is a very helpful clarification of (dreaded) CLA v AG, which has been a bit of a thorn in my side anyway for 10+ years now. Really excellent language in this Judgment … Continue reading →

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ASA 2022/2023 Articling Student Asad Rai Gets Called to the Bar – July 2023

Posted on July 27, 2023 by Anita Szigeti

Congratulations to our articling student Asad Rai who is getting called to the Ontario Bar this month! In keeping with my firm’s long tradition of hiring internationally trained students, Asad studied law in Wales – how cool is that? It’s … Continue reading →

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Law360 Article about King’s Counsel Designation – July 11 2023 – Amanda Jerome

Posted on July 18, 2023 by Anita Szigeti

I spoke with Law360’s Amanda Jerome about the return of the KC Designation and concerns the bar have about lack of transparency around process, together with the inclusion of former AG Caroline Mulroney on the list of 90+ new KC’s … Continue reading →

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Law360 Opinion Column July 13 2023: Return of King’s counsel designation not recognition bar needs right now | Anita Szigeti

Posted on July 16, 2023 by Anita Szigeti

After being interviewed by Amanda Jerome for an article on this topic in Law360, I found I had some other things to say about why the KC designation really is not the recognition we need to see right now. My … Continue reading →

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Anita appears on Kelly and Ramya – interviewed by Danielle McLaughlin for her “Know Your Rights!” Segment – Accessible Media Inc – July 10 2023

Posted on July 10, 2023 by Anita Szigeti

On July 10, 2023, I spoke about access to justice issues that individuals with serious mental health issues face, on an innovative Cable TV show hosted by Kelly and Ramya on Accessible Media Inc. On Kelly and Ramya – Accessible … Continue reading →

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