Martell (unanimous)

Martell (unanimous) refers to a legal case decided by the Supreme Court of Canada in 2003. The case addressed issues of consent in the context of sexual offenses. The court ruled that a lack of consent to sexual activities is central to determining whether a crime has occurred. This unanimous decision emphasized that consent must be clear, voluntary, and ongoing. It underscored the importance of communication between individuals regarding consent, reinforcing that assumptions should not be made about a person's willingness to participate in sexual acts. The ruling aimed to enhance the understanding of consent in legal and social contexts.