How can we address the harm caused by crime? As a complement to the traditional criminal justice process, restorative justice offers an approach centred on those affected, their needs, and repairing the harm. In this 6th episode of the series "In the Blind Spot," the Honourable Justice Simon Ruel, of the Court of Appeal of Quebec, speaks with the Honourable Justice Anna Loparco, of the Court of King's Bench of Alberta. Drawing on her experience as co-founder and chair of Alberta's Restorative Justice Committee, as well as her teaching on the subject, Justice Loparco explores with him the concept of restorative justice and its place in Canada's criminal justice system, particularly in light of recent amendments to the Criminal Code. They also discuss its benefits, limitations, and the myths surrounding it, as well as the roles of judges, prosecutors, and defence counsel.

The traditional model of Canadian criminal law is a state-centred adversarial process designed to punish, deter, or rehabilitate. But once the trial is over and the sentence is imposed, has justice truly addressed the harm caused by crime? Restorative justice approaches ask different questions: Who has been harmed? What do they need? And who is responsible for addressing those needs, repairing the harm, or restoring relationships? In this 6th episode of the series "In the Blind Spot," the Honourable Justice Simon Ruel, of the Court of Appeal of Quebec, speaks with the Honourable Deputy Chief Justice Joanne Durant and the Honourable Justice Michelle Christopher, both of the Alberta Court of Justice, and the Honourable Justice Anna Loparco, of the Court of King's Bench of Alberta. Together, they discuss the principles and benefits of restorative approaches in the legal system, the myths surrounding them, and the roles of judges, prosecutors, and defence counsel. The three guests also share what they have learned from Alberta's Restorative Justice Project, launched in 2022.

Judicial independence is essential to democracy and the rule of law. But how can judges and lawyers remain independent when they face political pressure, intimidation, or attacks on their legitimacy? In this 5th episode of the series “In the Blind Spot,” the Honourable Justice Simon Ruel speaks with Margaret L. Satterthwaite, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, about the threats facing justice systems worldwide and the safeguards needed to protect them. Their conversation highlights why judicial independence is not only a concern for legal professionals, but a fundamental protection for everyone.

AI is now making its way into courtrooms and law firms. But how does it really work? What are its concrete uses, from legal research to document management? Can it improve access to justice, or will it create new inequalities? In this 4th episode of the series “In the Blind Spot,” the Honourable Justice Simon Ruel speaks with Catherine Régis, Full Professor at the Faculty of Law of the Université de Montréal, to explore the arrival of AI in the judicial system. Between promises of efficiency and risks to judicial independence, transparency, and the fundamental values of justice, this episode offers essential insight into an issue that is redefining the future of law.

Climate change is increasingly framed as a human rights issue. In this third episode, the Honourable Justice Simon Ruel speaks with Maud Sarlieve, Head of the Secretariat of the Climate Research Forum (Oxford Sustainable Law Programme), about the rise of climate litigation and its tensions with the separation of powers.

Protected by the Constitution yet vulnerable to political, media, and social pressures, the judiciary sometimes resembles a “giant with feet of clay.” In this second episode of the series In the Blind Spot, the Honourable Justice Simon Ruel speaks with Shana Chaffai-Parent, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Law, Université de Montréal, and Jacques Chamberland, retired Justice of the Quebec Court of Appeal. This episode is available in French only.

Justice Simon Ruel speaks with lawyer Philippe Larochelle, President of the Bar Association before the International Criminal Court (ABCPI), to take a look at the International Criminal Court (ICC) more than 20 years after its establishment. Arrest warrants against heads of state, accusations of politicization, sovereignty issues, the role of victims, defence challenges, ecocide, and digital evidence: this episode explores the strengths, limitations, and tensions of a unique system of justice, confronted with a rapidly changing world. This episode is available in French only.