Separation and divorce
Contempt of court: When someone refuses to comply with a judgment
When a judgment is rendered, it must be complied with. In other words, judgments are “enforceable.” If someone refuses to comply with a judgment, they can be found guilty of contempt of court. Read on for an explanation.
Deterrence of and punishment for failure to comply with a judgment
The purpose of contempt of court proceedings is to deter and punish a person who refuses to comply with a court judgment. In some cases, it’s the last resort available to achieve justice and enforce a judgment.
A person is convicted of contempt of court when it can be proved beyond a reasonable doubt that they have deliberately ignored a judgment and that there is no justification for their conduct.
Consequences up to and including imprisonment
Punishment for contempt of court can be a fine as high as $10,000 and community work. Imprisonment is even possible if the person continues to refuse to comply with the judgment.
Therefore, this is a proceeding that shouldn’t be taken lightly. In family cases, it should be a last resort, particularly when there are children involved, since a conviction for contempt rarely improves the relationship between the separated parents.
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ANG - L’information présente sur cette page ne constitue pas un avis ou un conseil juridique. Nous vous indiquons ce que dit la loi au Québec de manière générale. Pour obtenir un avis ou un conseil juridique concernant votre situation personnelle, consultez un professionnel du droit.
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