Quebec Court to Review Appeal in Case Against Just for Laughs Founder Accused of Sexual Assault

Quebec’s highest court has ruled that Gilbert Rozon, the founder of Just for Laughs, can appeal a court ruling that restricts the questions his defence can ask in his civil trial for sexual assault.

Justice Martin Vauclair of the Court of Appeal did not order a suspension of the trial but stated in a brief judgment on Tuesday that a final decision in the lawsuit cannot be made until the appeal is resolved.

Vauclair mentioned that the trial judge will decide whether to pause the case. Rozon, aged 70, is facing lawsuits from nine women totaling nearly $14 million for allegations of sexual assault and misconduct.

A case management hearing for the lawsuit is set for Thursday morning in Montreal.

Last week, Quebec Superior Court Justice Chantal Tremblay rendered a ruling based on new provincial legislation that limits the types of questions that can be asked of victims or witnesses in civil trials for sexual assault, as well as the admissible evidence.

Her decision was based on recent changes to the Quebec Civil Code that restrict questions implying a victim’s sexual history or their interactions with an alleged abuser affect their credibility.

The legislation was put into effect shortly before Rozon’s high-profile trial began.

Tremblay determined that Rozon had not proven the relevance of such questions, prompting his lawyers to file an appeal.

Rozon’s legal team argues that Tremblay’s decision may limit his ability to defend against the accusations.

Rozon’s civil trial for sexual assault commenced on Dec. 9, with all nine plaintiffs presenting their accounts and undergoing cross-examination. Testimony from numerous witnesses supporting the allegations has been heard, but Rozon’s defence has not yet presented their evidence.

The trial was initially slated to conclude by the end of March.

At the start of the trial, Rozon’s lawyers requested a postponement to receive clarification on the application of the civil code amendments, but Tremblay insisted that the matter could be addressed during the trial.

The civil lawsuit is the latest development in a complex legal battle that initially began as a class action before transitioning into individual suits following a 2020 ruling by the Quebec Court of Appeal.

In 2020, Rozon was acquitted of rape and indecent assault charges related to alleged incidents from 1980 involving Annick Charette. Only Charette’s complaint proceeded to a criminal trial, as the prosecution opted not to pursue charges in 13 other cases.