A multi-million greenback wrongful dismissal and defamation trial collapsed due to the conduct of the lawyer representing former Edmonton Northlands cashiers, courtroom paperwork present.
This week, CBC Information opposed an utility to completely seal affidavits plaintiffs had filed about Glenda Pidde, who represented 19 fired Northlands parking companies cashiers for greater than six years, and a publication ban on a mistrial utility.
“The general public has a proper to know in regards to the causes for the end result of the case,” mentioned CBC lawyer Tess Layton throughout oral arguments Wednesday.
Six sworn affidavits have been ready. The plaintiffs’ new lawyer requested Courtroom of Queen’s Bench Justice Tom Rothwell to completely seal the paperwork and to order a publication ban on their mistrial utility.
Arguing on behalf of the plaintiffs, lawyer Philip Prowse mentioned the affidavits might embarrass Pidde. He described her conduct as “atrocious” and “nothing even near skilled.”
On Friday, Justice Rothwell determined in favor of the CBC, dismissing the plaintiff’s request for a publication ban and sealing order.
“Sustaining the open courtroom doesn’t pose a critical danger to her privateness or endanger her bodily or psychological well being,” Rothwell mentioned.
No trial preparation
The plaintiffs claimed of their sworn affidavits that they have been by no means correctly ready for trial.
They described assembly with Pidde on March 6 on the Edmonton Inn. The lawyer demanded the group act as cheerleaders by repeatedly chanting, “We’re gonna win.”
On March 17, the group met on the Victoria golf course. Angela Pegg, in her affidavit, claimed the lawyer supplied no trial preparation.
“[Pidde] wished us to face in a circle round her whereas stomping our toes. She wished the plaintiffs to name her ‘The Basic,'” Pegg mentioned.
Plaintiff Janet Roberts claimed in her affidavit that Pidde “danced to music for many of the assembly.”
At 11:29 pm the night time earlier than the trial started, Pidde despatched Pegg an electronic mail saying she was taking marijuana capsules and requested Pegg to offer her a wake-up name the following morning.
Round midnight, Pidde despatched one other electronic mail, saying he had began consuming wine.
“If I scent of alcohol or seem stoned, inform me. Carry gum or mouthwash in case you suppose it’s going to assist,” she mentioned.
On the primary full day of the trial, Pidde made a wide-ranging opening assertion that included accusations that Northlands had destroyed proof, and lied to its staff and the general public about what occurred.
The choose constantly reminded him to deal with the lawyer representing Northlands with skilled respect.
If I scent of alcohol or seem stoned, inform me.– Glenda Pidde in an e-mail
After the courtroom ended for the day, Pegg drove Pidde residence.
She claimed Pidde requested to cease at a liquor retailer, the place she purchased a bottle of wine, and a marijuana dispensary, the place she bought 20 packs of edibles and three cans of marijuana-infused drinks.
Plaintiffs fed up with lawyer’s conduct
By Day 3 of the trial, the plaintiffs had had sufficient.
Numerous them determined to jot down a word to the choose, asking him to talk to him about their lawyer’s conduct.
“Ms. Pidde didn’t wish to communicate to us and I didn’t know what to do,” Roberts mentioned.
Afterward, exterior the courtroom, Pidde tried intimidating her by bumping her chest twice into that of Roberts, she mentioned.
“Ms. Pidde was erratic and indignant,” Roberts mentioned.
She mentioned Pidde snatched the primary word Roberts tried handy to the clerk and crumpled it up, however Roberts wrote one other word that was handed alongside to the choose.
In her affidavit, Pegg hooked up a duplicate of an electronic mail Pidde despatched her on March 31.
“I can be asking the Justice to withdraw me as your counsel at 1:30…You’ve got damage me, abused and embarrassed me in a courtroom of legislation. I’m achieved,” Pidde mentioned within the electronic mail.
When the choose gave Pidde time to talk to her purchasers exterior the courtroom, Roberts mentioned Pidde instructed her purchasers to “F—okay off,” then entered the courtroom and instructed Justice Rothwell that she wished off the case.
“Ms. Pidde quitting in the course of trial made me really feel anxious, confused and scared. I didn’t know whether or not I, together with the opposite plaintiffs, can be given a good trial,” wrote Roberts.
After the trial collapsed, Pidde continued to ship Roberts “weird, racist, threatening textual content messages.”
The Legislation Society of Alberta was unable to say if it has acquired any complaints about Pidde or if her conduct is being investigated.
Civil lawsuit is now on maintain
On Friday afternoon, the lawyer representing Northlands urged Justice Rothwell to declare an adjournment.
The plaintiffs’ lawyer needs a mistrial and a brand new choose.
Rothwell mentioned he’ll situation a written resolution, doubtless in July.