R v Seaboyer

R v Seaboyer, [1991] 2 S.C.R. 577 is a leading Supreme Court of Canada decision where the Court upheld - with alterations - a rape-shield provision of the Criminal Code as it violated the right to "full answer and defence" under sections 7 and 11(d) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The case was decided with R v Gayme.

R v Seaboyer
Supreme Court of Canada
Hearing: March 26, 27, 1991 Judgment: August 22, 1991
Citations	[1991] 2 S.C.R. 577
Docket No.	20666[1]
Court membership
Chief Justice: Antonio Lamer Puisne Justices: Gérard La Forest, Claire L'Heureux-Dubé, John Sopinka, Charles Gonthier, Peter Cory, Beverley McLachlin, William Stevenson, Frank Iacobucci
Reasons given
Majority	McLachlin J., joined by Lamer C.J. and La Forest, Sopinka, Cory, Stevenson and Iacobucci JJ.
Concur/dissent	L'Heureux‑Dubé J., joined by Gonthier J.

Justice McLachlin, for the majority, found that Section 276 of the Criminal Code that prevented those charged with sexual assault offences from cross-examining the complainant about his or her history of sexual activity, could, in some instances, exclude relevant evidence thus impeding the accused's ability to make full answer and defence.

Justice L'Heureux-Dubé, in dissent, found that the Code provision just excluded evidence that would be irrelevant and prejudicial to the integrity and fairness of the trial process.

See also

• List of Supreme Court of Canada cases (Lamer Court)
• R v O'Connor
• R v Mills (1999)