Cases of the Court: Frédéric St-Jean

Live the law.

At this point in the course, take a moment to pause—and step into the lived experience of a Canadian who brought his case to the Supreme Court.

What if you had to argue your own case before the Supreme Court of Canada? 

Once a promising wrestler, an accident and a medical error turned Frédéric St-Jean’s life upside down. He became a lawyer and decided to represent himself in a legal battle for the victims of medical malpractice that led him all the way to the country’s highest court.

In this documentary, Frédéric recounts his unpredictable journey and the highs and lows of his decade-long court case. His story offers a unique look at the Supreme Court from the perspective of someone who lived both the personal and professional sides of a landmark case.

This documentary vignette is part of a series of short films featured throughout the course, each offering a human perspective on the Canadian justice system and the Supreme Court experience.