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Sefcik v College of Podiatric Physicians of Alberta, 2025 ABCA 263

[1] The appellant Dr. Ben Sefcik had a consensual extra-marital affair with his employee “AA” from late May or early June 2019 to May 2020. AA had begun work as the appellant’s medical office assistant six months earlier, as an extension of her work at her brother-in-law’s wellness clinic, in which the appellant’s podiatry practice was located.

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R v Bindra, 2025 ABCA 261

[1] The appellant was convicted of drugging and sexually assaulting three complainants at different times. He was also convicted of breaking and entering the home of one of the complainants to commit sexual assault, and possession of cocaine and Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate or GHB : R v Bindra, 2022 ABPC 99 [Trial Decision].

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R. v. Bharwani, 2025 SCC 26

Date: July 25, 2025

On Appeal from the Court of Appeal for Ontario

Criminal law — Trial — Fitness to stand trial — Accused with history of mental health challenges found fit to stand trial and convicted of first degree murder in death of roommate — Whether accused fit to stand trial — Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C‑46, s. 2 “unfit to stand trial”.

Criminal law — Evidence — Admissibility — Fresh evidence — Accused charged with first degree murder in death of roommate — Accused raising defence of not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder — Expert evidence on accused’s understanding of moral wrongfulness of actions provided at trial by three psychiatrists — Accused found fit to stand trial and convicted — Accused seeking to adduce on appeal evidence of two additional psychiatrists and new evidence relating to credibility and reliability of psychiatrist who provided expert evidence on behalf of Crown at trial — Whether fresh evidence should be admitted.

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R. v. Kloubakov, 2025 SCC 25

Date: July 24, 2025

On Appeal from the Court of Appeal of Alberta

Constitutional law — Charter of Rights — Right to security of person — Sex workers — Sexual services — Safety measures — Whether offences of receiving material benefit from sexual services and procuring person to offer or provide sexual services for consideration set out in Criminal Code infringe right to security of person of sex workers by preventing them from taking necessary safety measures — Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, s. 7 — Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C‑46, ss. 286.2, 286.3.

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