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

Coroner Dismisses James Forcillo’s Motion to Introduce “Suicide by Cop” into the Yatim Inquest – March 29 2023

Posted on March 31, 2023 by Anita Szigeti

You can review the Ruling here: Dr. Cameron’s Ruling on Forcillo Suicide by Cop Motion in Yatim Inquest Some media coverage today: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2023/03/30/coroner-rejects-toronto-cops-11th-hour-claim-sammy-yatim-died-in-suicide-by-cop.html https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/coroner-rules-against-officer-s-suicide-by-cop-theory-for-sammy-yatim-inquest-1.6335870 In the Ruling, the Coroner specifically comments on the “suicide by cop” idea as follows: “Firstly, … Continue reading →

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Maya Shukairy receives WiCCD’s Inaugural WiCCD Wonder Award – March 29 2023

Posted on March 30, 2023 by Anita Szigeti

It was a long and busy evening for WiCCD’s Assistant Secretary & Director of Education, the wonderful Maya Shukairy!! Maya is now the first recipient of WiCCD’s Inaugural WiCCD WONDER Award (2023). Maya Shukairy’s contributions to WiCCD are invaluable, unending, … Continue reading →

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Wonderful WiCCD Evening with Danielle Robitaille and Anita on the panel “Grace Under Fire: How to Handle Heat from the Bench” — March 28, 2023

Posted on March 29, 2023 by Anita Szigeti

Moderated by Maya Shukairy This really was a fabulous event. Personally, I had so much fun. There is NO recording of it and that was definitely for the best. A candid and very helpful conversation on what to do in … Continue reading →

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LAW360 covers ONCA Judgment in Re Alexander on community living privileges for wait-listing detained NCR accused for housing – March 20, 2023

Posted on March 22, 2023 by Anita Szigeti

This article was first published by the LAW360 Canada Publication, formerly known as Lawyer’s Daily, written by Amanda Jerome, on March 20, 2023. You can read the article here: https://www.law360.ca/articles/45017 Criminal Judgment upholding review board decision on NCR accused ‘fundamentally … Continue reading →

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Windsor Chapter of LEAF hears from Anita about Trauma-Informed Lawyering on March 15 2023

Posted on March 22, 2023 by Anita Szigeti

It was really invigorating to speak with Windsor Law students and members of the Windsor Chapter of Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund, on a panel with two other fabulous women lawyers about the importance of trauma-informed lawyering. I spoke … Continue reading →

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R v. Kahsai in the SCC March 14 2023 – the Role of Amicus in Criminal Trials revisited post CLA v AG

Posted on March 13, 2023 by Anita Szigeti

Update to our earlier post below, this one is now done and dusted. We had a great day in Court. Clockwise from Top Left: Me, Carter Martell, Cassandra DeMelo and Maya Shukairy – our team representing the Empowerment Council, One … Continue reading →

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Standard Info for Those Interested in Mental Health Law

Posted on March 10, 2023 by Anita Szigeti

Nearly every day now I get an email asking to meet for coffee to discuss my career path and let young lawyers or students know how I do what I do and my experiences getting here. I am incredibly grateful … Continue reading →

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WiCCD ATTENDS RODA LAWYERS’ 10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION – MARCH 9 2023

Posted on March 10, 2023 by Anita Szigeti

Thanks to our co-chair of Social Media and Membership, Hamna Anwar for representing WiCCD at Roundtable Of Diversity Associations (RODA)’s 10 year anniversary celebration last night. Sounds like a great event.

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People with Disabilities Need Lawyers Too – An excellent New Article by the Legend David Lepofsky in Windsor Access to Justice – March 2023

Posted on March 10, 2023 by Anita Szigeti

This is an amazing “Ready-To-Use Plan for Law Schools to Educate Law Students to Effectively Serve the Legal Needs of Clients With Disabilities as Well as Clients Without Disabilities” Dr. Ruby Dhand and I are grateful to David for referencing … Continue reading →

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Your Auntie-in-Law Anita*’s SNAFU Saves: How To Survive a Rough Ride in Court

Posted on March 9, 2023 by Anita Szigeti

Tips for Responding to Mis-treatment by Decision-Makers Prepared for Grace Under Fire: How to Handle Heat from the Bench WiCCD March 28, 2023 *ANITA SZIGETI, TORONTO MENTAL HEALTH JUSTICE LAWYER (DEFENCE) Why this Paper is about SNAFUs What is a … Continue reading →

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