Supreme Court of Canada

Sadjade v. The Queen, [1983] 2 S.C.R. 361

Date: 1983-10-19

Bejan Sadjade Appellant;

and

Her Majesty The Queen Respondent.

File No.: 17003.

1983: October 19.

Present: Laskin C.J. and Ritchie, Dickson, Beetz, Estey, McIntyre, Chouinard, Lamer and Wilson JJ.

ON APPEAL FROM THE COURT OF APPEAL FOR QUEBEC

Criminal law—Trial—Right to services of interpreter.

APPEAL from a judgment of the Quebec Court of Appeal (1982), 1982 3027 (QC CA), 136 D.L.R. (3d) 605, 67 C.C.C. (2d) 189, dismissing an appeal by appellant from his conviction for theft. Appeal allowed.

Céline Pelletier, for the appellant.

Jean-Guy Leduc and Germain Tremblay, for the respondent.

English version of the judgment of the Court delivered orally by

THE CHIEF JUSTICE—We are all of the view that this appeal should be allowed, the judgment of the Court of Appeal should be set aside and a new trial ordered.

Appellant’s request to be provided with the services of an interpreter was categorically rejected, which amounted to an error of law.

Judgment accordingly.

Solicitor for the appellant: Céline Pelletier, Montreal.

Solicitor for the respondent: Patrick Long, Montreal.