Lauren J. Wihak, K.C. has article entitled "Selecting Standards of Review on Statutory Appeals: A Major Change from Vavilov Garnering Minimal Attention but Having Significant Theoretical and Practical Implications" published in the Alberta Law Review

McDougall Gauley LLP's Lauren J. Wihak, K.C. has had her article entitled "Selecting Standards of Review on Statutory Appeals: A Major Change from Vavilov Garnering Minimal Attention but Having Significant Theoretical and Practical Implications" published in the latest issue of the Alberta Law Review.

In her article, Lauren focuses on an aspect of the Supreme Court of Canada's landmark administrative law decision in Canada (Citizenship and Immigration) v Vavilov, 2019 SCC 65, particularly as it relates to the administrative law landscape in Saskatchewan: the change in the way that courts are to review administrative decisions when they are subject to an express statutory appeal right. Lauren highlights that the impact of this change has indeed been significant, and will have both theoretical and practical implications for how administrative law is done in a province like Saskatchewan.

Lauren's article arose out of a symposium held at the University of Alberta Faculty of Law in June, 2025, which brought together a select grouping of academics, lawyers and judges with expertise in the field of administrative law, to discuss the impact of Vavilov five years after its release by the Supreme Court.

The Alberta Law Review is a peer-reviewed journal that focuses on discourse related to Canadian legal issues.

Lauren is a partner at McDougall Gauley, with a practice focusing on administrative and public law, and appeals. She frequently appears in the Court of Appeal for Saskatchewan, and has also appeared before appellate courts in Manitoba and British Columbia, as well as before the Supreme Court of Canada. Lauren has spoken and presented at numerous conferences and seminars on administrative law, across Canada, and has had a number of her published articles focusing on issues in administrative law cited by Canadian courts including the Court of Appeal for Saskatchewan and the Supreme Court of Canada. She received her King's Counsel designation in 2024.

Lauren's article can be found here.

The views expressed herein are solely the author's and should not be attributed to the MG LLP or its clients. Any postings on legal issues are provided as a public service, and do not constitute solicitation or provision of legal advice. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained herein or linked to. Due to professional ethics, the author may not be able to comment on matters in which a client has an interest. Nothing herein should be used as a substitute for the advice of competent and informed counsel.

This web site/blog is presented for informational purposes only. These materials do not constitute legal advice and do not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and MG LLP. If you are seeking specific advice related to your situation, please contact MG LLP for a personal consultation.

Any unsolicited information sent to MG LLP through blogs or otherwise may not be protected by solicitor-client privilege.

MG LLP periodically provides materials on our services and developments in the law to interested persons. For permission to reprint articles or blogs, please contact marketing@mcdougallgauley.com.