The Superior Court lacks jurisdiction under section 24(1) of the Charter to reinstate a disbarred lawyer.
The Law Society of Ontario brought a motion to dismiss Christian Chukwuedozie Chijindu's application to the Superior Court, in which he sought to reinstate his law license after it was revoked by the Law Society Tribunal and all subsequent appeals, including to the Supreme Court of Canada, were exhausted.
Chijindu invoked the Superior Court's jurisdiction under s. 24(1) of the Charter, alleging unequal treatment and systemic anti-Black racism.
The court determined it lacked jurisdiction to overturn the Tribunal's revocation or compel the Law Society to reinstate the license, as these remedies are not within the Superior Court's purview, which is limited to appellate or judicial review roles allocated to the Divisional Court.
The motion to dismiss was granted, and Chijindu's application was dismissed with costs awarded to the Law Society.
SCJSuperior Court of JusticeJul 22, 2024