Criminal Code (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-46)

Marginal note:Release pending determination of appeal

• 679 (1) A judge of the court of appeal may, in accordance with this section, release an appellant from custody pending the determination of his appeal if,

  • (a) in the case of an appeal to the court of appeal against conviction, the appellant has given notice of appeal or, where leave is required, notice of his application for leave to appeal pursuant to section 678;

  • (b) in the case of an appeal to the court of appeal against sentence only, the appellant has been granted leave to appeal; or

  • (c) in the case of an appeal or an application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada, the appellant has filed and served his notice of appeal or, where leave is required, his application for leave to appeal.

• Marginal note:Notice of application for release

  (2) Where an appellant applies to a judge of the court of appeal to be released pending the determination of his appeal, he shall give written notice of the application to the prosecutor or to such other person as a judge of the court of appeal directs.

• Marginal note:Circumstances in which appellant may be released

  (3) In the case of an appeal referred to in paragraph (1)(a) or (c), the judge of the court of appeal may order that the appellant be released pending the determination of his appeal if the appellant establishes that

  • (a) the appeal or application for leave to appeal is not frivolous;

  • (b) he will surrender himself into custody in accordance with the terms of the order; and

  • (c) his detention is not necessary in the public interest.

• Marginal note:Idem

  (4) In the case of an appeal referred to in paragraph (1)(b), the judge of the court of appeal may order that the appellant be released pending the determination of his appeal or until otherwise ordered by a judge of the court of appeal if the appellant establishes that

  • (a) the appeal has sufficient merit that, in the circumstances, it would cause unnecessary hardship if he were detained in custody;

  • (b) he will surrender himself into custody in accordance with the terms of the order; and

  • (c) his detention is not necessary in the public interest.

• Marginal note:Conditions of release order

  (5) If the judge of the court of appeal does not refuse the appellant’s application, the judge shall make a release order referred to in section 515, the form of which may be adapted to suit the circumstances, which must include a condition that the accused surrender themselves into custody in accordance with the order.

• Marginal note:Immediate release of appellant

  (5.1) The person having the custody of the appellant shall, if the appellant complies with the release order, immediately release the appellant.

• Marginal note:Applicable provisions

  (6) Sections 495.1, 512.3 and 524 apply, with any modifications that the circumstances require, in respect of any proceedings under this section.

• Marginal note:Release or detention pending hearing of reference

  (7) If, with respect to any person, the Minister of Justice gives a direction or makes a reference under section 696.3, this section applies to the release or detention of that person pending the hearing and determination of the reference as though that person were an appellant in an appeal described in paragraph (1)(a).

• Marginal note:Release or detention pending new trial or new hearing

  (7.1) Where, with respect to any person, the court of appeal or the Supreme Court of Canada orders a new trial, section 515 or 522, as the case may be, applies to the release or detention of that person pending the new trial or new hearing as though that person were charged with the offence for the first time, except that the powers of a justice under section 515 or of a judge under section 522 are exercised by a judge of the court of appeal.

• Marginal note:Application to appeals on summary conviction proceedings

  (8) This section applies to applications for leave to appeal and appeals to the Supreme Court of Canada in summary conviction proceedings.

• (9) [Repealed, 2019, c. 25, s. 279]

• Marginal note:Directions for expediting appeal, new trial, etc.

  (10) A judge of the court of appeal, where on the application of an appellant he does not make an order under subsection (5) or where he cancels an order previously made under this section, or a judge of the Supreme Court of Canada on application by an appellant in the case of an appeal to that Court, may give such directions as he thinks necessary for expediting the hearing of the appellant’s appeal or for expediting the new trial or new hearing or the hearing of the reference, as the case may be.