Lockyer Zaduk Zeeh

Bail release yesterday for Craig Zeeh’s client in Brampton, who is alleged to have imported and possessed 127 kg of cocaine. Near the end of the contested hearing the Crown consented to their release.

Today, the Minister of Justice Arif Virani ordered a new trial for our client Roy Sobotiak who has spent the last 35 years behind bars. See below for our full press release.

Following an extensive review of materials submitted by James Lockyer and Innocence Canada, the Honourable Arif Virani, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada (Government of Canada) has ordered a new trial for Roy Allan Sobotiak under the conviction review provisions of the Criminal Code. There are reasonable grounds to conclude that a miscarriage of justice likely occurred.

Laura Remigio and I will be speaking at the upcoming York Region Law Association Event on SOIRA and Dangerous Offender/Long-Term Offender Orders. Register below to learn more about these complex topics! https://lnkd.in/ekMPhFH5

First degree murder conviction overturned today in R. v. Ordonio, 2025 ONCA 135. James Lockyer and Jeffery Couse successfully argued that our client’s statement was erroneously admitted due to trial judge’s failure to consider the impact of 13 hours of interrogation. Thank you to Addario Law Group LLP for intervening on behalf of the Criminal Lawyers’ Association. Notable mention to Peter Zaduk, trial counsel to Mr. Ordonio. See decision here: https://lnkd.in/gAMDjtnq

Earlier this week, Jessica Zita and Jeffrey Hartman were granted leave to intervene at the Supreme Court of Canada | Cour suprême du Canada in Dorsey v. Canada on behalf of their client, Margaret Lee Cole. This appeal raises important issues on the use of habeas corpus for prisoners. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gHVuEvDP

Charges relating to drug trafficking stayed against Craig Zeeh’s client in Toronto due to a breach of solicitor-client privilege. Client’s right to counsel call was captured on video at police station.

Some trial wins from the past week: Arooba Shakeel’s client was acquitted of breach court order in Oshawa last Friday. While not the most serious offence, our client always proclaimed their innocence. Jason Dickson secured an acquittal on Wednesday in Brampton, for his client who was charged with assault. The Crown was unable to prove the victim’s identity, and unsuccessfully sought to amend the Information after evidence was called. And yesterday, again in Brampton, Craig Zeeh’s client was acquitted of driving while impaired by drug.

After a 3 week trial, a Toronto jury acquitted Craig Zeeh’s client of manslaughter today.

LZZ associate Jason Dickson won a summary sentence appeal last week where the Superior Court of Justice in Brampton struck a DNA order attached to a conditional discharge finding it had a disproportionate impact on our client’s privacy interests. See R. v. Vu, 2025 ONSC 716 below.