Kent Lockdown Class Action

Rice Harbut Elliott LLP is advancing a class action lawsuit on behalf of all prisoners who suffered deprivations of liberty, Charter violations and other harms during the institutional lockdown that occurred at Kent Institution between January 7-22, 2010.

Overview
Current Status
Documents

Overview

Rice Harbut Elliott LLP seeks to recover compensation (including Charter damages) for all prisoners who suffered deprivations of liberty, Charter breaches and other harms at Kent Institution during what has come to be known colloquially as the “Kent Lockdown”, which occurred between January 7 – 22, 2010. The class action lawsuit brings claims in negligence, misfeasance in public office, unlawful imprisonment, and seeks s.24(1) Charter damages for breaches of ss.7, 8 and 12 of the Charter.

Please see the Second Further Amended Notice of Civil Claim for more information about the Class Action.

If you were present at Kent Institution between January 7-22, 2010, our class action team is available to try to assist you in seeking compensation.

Complete the form below to subscribe to our database and receive all updates and notice regarding this class action.

Current Status

After three decisions, this Class Action was certified in 2018 (2016 BCSC 962 (CanLII) | Ewert v. Canada (Attorney General) | CanLII, 2017 BCSC 279 (CanLII) | Ewert v. Canada (Attorney General) | CanLII and 2018 BCSC 147 (CanLII) | Ewert v Canada (Attorney General) | CanLII). The Government of Canada’s appeal of the certification decision was partially successful, and the application for certification was remitted back to the trial court (2022 BCCA 131 (CanLII) | Ewert v. Canada (Attorney General) | CanLII). A further certification hearing was held in December of 2023. The court reserved judgment and we are presently awaiting the court’s decision on that application.

Documents

Please see the Second Further Amended Notice of Civil Claim for more information about the Class Action.

Kent Lockdown Class Action Form

Note: You are not obliged to fill in this form to participate in this class action. If you choose to do so, you are not retaining RHE LLP to act on your behalf. Providing the information requested does not make you a client of RHE LLP. All information submitted will be treated as confidential and will only be released as required by law or as you may consent.

I provide my consent and agree herein to receive communications from RHE LLP, which may include announcements regarding class actions, practice updates, newsletters, publications, event invitations or other information that may be of interest. I understand that consent to receive these electronic communications may be withdrawn at any time by emailing reception@rhelaw.com.

Class Action Form

Contact Information

First and Last Name* *

Email* *

Phone* *

Address* *

City/Town* *

Province or Territory* *

Postal Code* *

Date of Birth* *

Range or Living Unit on which you were housed during the Lockdown (between January 7-22, 2010), if known

Other Coments

Consent* *

I provide my consent and agree herein to receive communications from RHE LLP, which may include announcements regarding class actions, practice updates, newsletters, publications, event invitations or other information that may be of interest. I understand that I can unsubscribe to these emails at any time. I understand that some of the personal information that I provide may be stored or processed outside of British Columbia and/or Canada, on a US server, and will be kept confidential, subject to the potential that a foreign state may seek to access the data for “lawful access” purposes. If you have any questions about RHE’s policies and practices regarding service providers outside Canada, or about the collection, use, disclosure or storage of personal information by the service providers outside Canada, please contact reception@rhelaw.com.

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