Shull – Federal Court finds a breach of procedural fairness by the Tax Court did not require it to allow the taxpayer’s appeal

The taxpayer, who had limited ability to represent himself due to cognitive impairment, was using an agent in his Tax Court hearing until the agent (who had been identified in other proceedings as a vexatious litigant) resigned due to the expressed concerns of the Tax Court regarding such representation. The taxpayer then requested an adjournment to seek advice as to whether he should be represented by counsel, which the Tax Court refused, without giving reasons. The taxpayer was given the choice of discontinuing his appeal - or proceeding with his appeal on his own, which he did.

Monaghan JA found that “the Tax Court breached Mr. Shull’s procedural fairness rights by refusing the adjournment” – but in nonetheless dismissing the taxpayer’s appeal applied the principle (in light of the weakness of the taxpayer’s case) that “where the result is inevitable, a court may exercise its discretion to not grant a remedy for the breach” of procedural fairness.

Neal Armstrong. Summary of Shull v. Canada, 2025 FCA 25 under s. 180(3).