📘 Definitions for the Court Intervene Document

Legal Term or Phrase

Explanation

Court File No.

A number given to the case so the court can keep track of it. Like a student ID for the case.

Federal Court of Appeal

A special court that checks if lower court decisions were fair and legal.

Appellant

The person or group that is appealing (asking for a higher court to review a decision). In this case, Universal Ostrich Farms.

Respondent

The other side in the case—the group defending the original decision. Here, it’s the CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency).

Notice of Motion for Leave to Intervene

A formal request asking the court to let other people (not originally in the case) speak up because the case affects them too.

Motion

A request made to the judge during a case.

Leave to Intervene

Permission to join a case to share your views or information because it affects you or the public.

Intervener

A person who wants to join the case to help the court understand why it matters to more people.

Due Process

The right to be treated fairly by the law. It means the government must follow rules before taking your property or freedom.

Property Rights

The right to own things (like animals, land, or a business) and not have them taken away without a good reason and legal steps.

Common Law

Old legal rules created by judges over hundreds of years. They still matter today unless a new law clearly replaces them.

Canadian Bill of Rights

A law that protects your basic freedoms, like the right to own property and have a fair hearing.

Section 1(a)

This part says you have the right to life, freedom, safety, and property, and the government can’t take them away unless they follow the law.

Section 2(e)

This part says you have the right to a fair hearing before someone makes a big decision about your rights.

Administrative Power

When government departments (like the CFIA) make decisions that affect people—like telling farmers to kill animals.

CFIA

A government agency that checks animal and food health. In this case, they ordered the killing of healthy ostriches based on test results.

Affidavit

A written statement someone swears is true. It’s used as evidence in court.

Oral Submissions

Speaking to the judge to explain your point of view.

Written Submissions

A short paper explaining your legal argument or why the case matters.

Relief Sought

What the person is asking the judge to let them do—like join the case and share their opinion.

Statutory Law

Laws passed by Parliament.

Evidentiary Burden

The duty to show real proof before making a serious decision, like destroying animals.

Fundamental Justice

The basic fairness that all people deserve when the government makes decisions about them.