The respondents, who were self-represented, hired a non-advocate to draft injunction proceedings.
The mis en cause moved to dismiss the proceedings because they were drafted by a non-advocate in contravention of the Act respecting the Barreau du Québec.
The Supreme Court of Canada held that while the contract for legal services with the non-advocate was absolutely null for violating public order, this nullity did not extend to the legal proceedings themselves.
The proceedings constituted a distinct juridical act by the self-represented litigants, and dismissing them would improperly penalize the litigants and restrict their right to self-representation.
