The Transformation of the Supreme Court of Canada : : An Empirical Examination / / Donald R. Songer.

• VerfasserIn: Songer, Donald R.,
• Place / Publishing House: Toronto : : University of Toronto Press, , [2017]; ©2009
• Year of Publication: 2017
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (384 p.)

In the last half-century, the Supreme Court of Canada has undergone major upheaval. The most drastic change occurred with the adoption of the Charter of Rights in 1982, which substantially increased the Court's role in resolving controversial political and social issues. The Transformation of the Supreme Court of Canada examines the impact of institutional changes on the proceedings and decisions of the Court from 1970 to 2003. The first book on the Supreme Court to incorporate extensive in-depth interviews with former justices, this study provides both insiders' accounts of how decisions are made and an empirical analysis of more than 3,000 Court decisions. Drawing on this extensive commentary and statistical data, Donald R. Songer demonstrates that the Court has remained a politically moderate and democratic institution despite its considerable power and influence. The most comprehensive account of its kind to date, The Transformation of the Supreme Court of Canada makes a significant contribution to the literature and will be of particular interest to scholars and students of judicial behaviour and comparative law.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter -- Contents -- Tables and Figures -- Acknowledgments -- 1. Introduction: The Changing Role of the Supreme Court in Canadian Politics -- 2. The Changing Profile of Justices on the Supreme Court -- 3. Setting the Agenda -- 4. A Look at the Players: Who Participates and Who Wins? -- 5. Understanding the Decision-Making Process -- 6. Policy-Making Trends on the Supreme Court -- 7. Decision-Making Models of Individual Voting -- 8. The Unanimous Decisions of the Supreme Court of Canada -- 9. Continuity and Change in the Role of the Supreme Court of Canada -- Appendix: Interview Schedule - the Supreme Court of Canada -- Notes -- References -- Index