The Catholic Children's Aid Society of Toronto brought a motion for the appointment of amicus curiae for the respondent mother in a child protection proceeding.
The mother, who had previously retained and discharged three counsel, was self-represented at the time of the motion hearing.
The court found that the legal test for appointing amicus was met, considering the high stakes of the matter, the mother's demonstrated inability to participate meaningfully in proceedings, her pattern of discharging counsel, and concerns that the trial would not progress reasonably without amicus assistance.
The court appointed amicus to assist in ensuring the trial is orderly and fair, with the appointment remaining in effect even if the mother retains counsel in the future.
