A new chapter for Canada’s highest Court

With the rehabilitation of the Supreme Court of Canada under way, partner Jeremy Opolsky told The Hill Times that he felt very lucky to be one of the last people to argue a case at 301 Wellington for potentially a decade.

A former Supreme Court law clerk from 2010 and 2011, Jeremy recalled the building as a place that balanced a sense of grandeur with the daily buzz of life. He’s since argued for parties in at least six appeals heard before the Court at its historic home and attended even more on behalf of intervenors.

The West Memorial Building will serve as the Court’s temporary home and will support the transition into a new era of digital hearings and appeals. Jeremy noted that while the move represents an exciting step forward, the new space will feel different without the significant history of the Court’s longtime location.

“There’s where the Charter debates were held, that’s where the secession reference was heard, that’s where the patriation reference was decided,” he said.

“All these momentous occasions in the country’s history… nothing can replicate that.”

The move also brings anticipation around how the future courtroom’s design will support the appellate process and the public’s connection to it.

“How far apart are the advocates from the judges? How does the podium work? How are the acoustics? What is the feeling and energy like in the room? All of those are important because they create intangibles for how a hearing goes,” Jeremy said.

“I have every confidence that it’ll be great, but it will be different.”

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