What is the test for declining to hear a case when it merely raises a hypothetical question that will have no practical effect on the parties' rights?

Canada (Federal), Canada

The following excerpt is from Cardin v. Canada (Attorney General), 2017 FCA 150 (CanLII):

The court may decline to decide a case when it merely raises a hypothetical question that will have no practical effect on the parties’ rights: Borowski v. Canada (Attorney General), 1989 CanLII 123 (SCC), [1989] 1 S.C.R. 342, 57 D.L.R. (4th) 231. Applying the doctrine of mootness involves a two-step analysis. First, the court must determine whether the concrete controversy between the parties has disappeared and the issues have become academic. If yes, the court must then decide whether it should exercise its discretion to hear the moot case.

Other Questions


When an unrepresented defendant in police custody invokes his right to a lawyer, what is the effect of that right? ("New York", United States of America)
Does a party have a right to interview and question an adverse witness? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
Can a party raise issues on judicial review that they did not raise in their initial notice of application? (Canada (Federal), Canada)
Is a waiver enforceable if one of the parties relinquishes a right due to misrepresentations by the other party? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
If a party fails to submit an objection to a factual finding, can that party waive its right to object on appeal? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
Is a legal issue first raised on appeal when the opposing party has failed to raise it in the trial court? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
What is the effect of the Civil Rights Act on the civil rights of a state? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
In a civil case, what is the current state of the law on the right to question a witness in question? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
What is the effect of the 9/11 attacks on the discovery rights of the parties? (Canada (Federal), Canada)
Does a party have jurisdiction to bring a supplemental pleading that alleges that a party was involved in a dispute with the other party before the date of filing? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.