New Tort, New Territory: Intimate Partner Violence After Ahluwalia
Presented by the CBA Judges Section
14 December | 12:00 pm EST
The Supreme Court of Canada's decision in Ahluwalia v Ahluwalia, 2026 SCC 16 has established intimate partner violence as a standalone tort—raising pressing questions about how judges and practitioners will apply it going forward.
This session explores the substantive elements courts must now weigh and the procedural hurdles that come with litigating the tort. It also asks whether Quebec's civilian jurisprudence under the Civil Code of Quebec offers a workable model for common law provinces—or whether it introduces complications of its own. And it considers how the tort may transform family law proceedings nationwide.
The panel unpacks the implications of the ruling, addressing the doctrinal questions left unresolved, the evidentiary and procedural issues it brings to the fore, and what lies ahead for both counsel and the bench.
Speakers:
Justice Sylvain Lussier Cour Supérieure du Québec
Justice Gwen Goebel of the Saskatchewan Court of King’s Bench – Family Law Division in Saskatoon
Anna Matas, Matas Legal Toronto
This judges-only webinar will be conducted in English and French with simultaneous interpretation. Questions may be posed in either language.
Unable to attend? Register today and gain access to an on-demand recording following the webcast.
