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 software 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 software.
“The general public has a proper to know in regards to the causes for the result of the case,” mentioned CBC lawyer Tess Layton throughout oral arguments Wednesday.
Six sworn affidavits have been ready. The plaintiffs’ new lawyer requested Court docket of Queen’s Bench Justice Tom Rothwell to completely seal the paperwork and to order a publication ban on their mistrial software.
Arguing on behalf of the plaintiffs, lawyer Philip Prowse mentioned the affidavits may embarrass Pidde. He described her habits 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 precept 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 offered no trial preparation.
“[Pidde] needed us to face in a circle round her whereas stomping our toes. She needed the plaintiffs to name her ‘The Common,'” 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 e-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 e-mail, saying she had began ingesting wine.
“If I odor of alcohol or seem stoned, inform me. Deliver gum or mouthwash should 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 workers and the general public about what occurred.
The choose persistently reminded her to deal with the lawyer representing Northlands with skilled respect.
If I odor of alcohol or seem stoned, inform me.– Glenda Pidde in an e-mail
After courtroom ended for the day, Pegg drove Pidde dwelling.
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.
Quite a few them determined to write down a be aware to the choose, asking 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, outdoors the courtroom, Pidde tried intimidating her by twice bumping her chest into that of Roberts, she mentioned.
“Ms. Pidde was erratic and indignant,” Roberts mentioned.
She mentioned Pidde snatched the primary be aware Roberts tried at hand to the clerk and crumpled it up, however Roberts wrote one other be aware that was handed alongside to the choose.
In her affidavit, Pegg connected a duplicate of an e-mail Pidde despatched her on March 31.
“I might be asking the Justice to withdraw me as your counsel at 1:30…You’ve gotten damage me, abused and embarrassed me in a courtroom of legislation. I’m finished,” Pidde mentioned within the e-mail.
When the choose gave Pidde time to talk to her shoppers outdoors the courtroom, Roberts mentioned Pidde informed her shoppers to “F—ok off,” then entered the courtroom and informed Justice Rothwell that she needed 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, could be given a good trial,” Roberts wrote.
After the trial collapsed, Pidde continued to ship Roberts “weird, racist, threatening textual content messages.”
The Regulation Society of Alberta was unable to say if it has obtained any complaints about Pidde or if her conduct is being investigated.
Civil lawsuit now on maintain
On Friday afternoon, the lawyer representing Northlands urged Justice Rothwell to declare an adjournment.
The plaintiffs’ lawyer desires a mistrial and a brand new choose.
Rothwell mentioned he’ll subject a written choice, probably in July.
