A multi-million greenback wrongful dismissal and defamation trial collapsed due to the conduct of the lawyer representing former Edmonton Northlands cashiers, court docket 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 concerning 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 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 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 court docket 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] wished us to face in a circle round her whereas stomping our toes. She wished the plaintiffs to name her ‘The Normal,'” Pegg mentioned.
Plaintiff Janet Roberts claimed in her affidavit that Pidde “danced to music for a lot of the assembly.”
At 11:29 pm the evening earlier than the trial started, Pidde despatched Pegg an e mail saying she was taking marijuana capsules and requested Pegg to provide her a wake-up name the following morning.
Round midnight, Pidde despatched one other e mail, saying she had began ingesting wine.
“If I scent of alcohol or seem stoned, inform me. Deliver gum or mouthwash in case you suppose it should 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 her 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 court docket 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.
A variety of them determined to jot down a notice 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, exterior the courtroom, Pidde tried intimidating her by twice bumping her chest into that of Roberts, she mentioned.
“Ms. Pidde was erratic and offended,” Roberts mentioned.
She mentioned Pidde snatched the primary notice Roberts tried handy to the clerk and crumpled it up, however Roberts wrote one other notice that was handed alongside to the choose.
In her affidavit, Pegg hooked up a duplicate of an e mail Pidde despatched her on March 31.
“I will likely be asking the Justice to withdraw me as your counsel at 1:30…You might have damage me, abused and embarrassed me in a court docket of regulation. I’m completed,” Pidde mentioned within the e mail.
When the choose gave Pidde time to talk to her purchasers exterior the courtroom, Roberts mentioned Pidde informed her purchasers to “F—ok off,” then entered the court docket and informed Justice Rothwell that she wished off the case.
“Ms. Pidde quitting in the midst 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,” 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 challenge a written choice, doubtless in July.