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ARTICLE · 08 NOVEMBER 2006

Safe To Apologise: New Law In British Columbia

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The province of British Columbia is the first Canadian jurisdiction to introduce a law providing a safe harbour for apologising. The BC Apology Act1 took effect on 18 May 2006.

CanadaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Barry Leon
Barry Leon
Dale Barrett
Dale Barrett
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Originally published in Mediation Committee Newsletter, September 2006

The province of British Columbia is the first Canadian jurisdiction to introduce a law providing a safe harbour for apologising. The BC Apology Act1 took effect on 18 May 2006.

The Act protects apologies made in connection with any matter, other than in a criminal context, and deems them inadmissible as evidence regarding the fault or liability of a person in any British Columbia court, arbitration or other tribunal proceeding. The Act states that an apology does not constitute an admission of fault or liability and must not be taken into account in the determination of fault or liability in connection with the matter to which it relates.

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