The accused was charged with sexual offences against former students.
One of the complainants brought a civil action against the accused and the school board.
The accused sought production of the complainant's civil litigation file to assess his motive to fabricate or exaggerate the incidents of abuse.
The trial judge ordered the production of the file.
The Supreme Court of Canada allowed the appeal, holding that solicitor-client privilege should only yield to an accused's right to make full answer and defence in rare circumstances where core issues going to guilt are involved and there is a genuine risk of wrongful conviction.
The Court established a two-stage 'innocence at stake' test, which was not met in this case.
