Tess Layton

Tess has experience advising and defending journalists and media organizations of all sizes. She also acts for media entities, individuals, and corporations in relation to defamation claims brought in Alberta and elsewhere in Canada. She frequently provides pre-publication advice to a wide variety of media outlets in relation to news stories and investigations. Tess has appeared at all levels of court in Alberta. At the Court of Appeal of Alberta, she has advocated for the right of the media to receive notice of applications to restrict publication and access, and to determine the meaning of publication as it relates to the internet. In addition, Tess has appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada respecting media law issues. In one instance, Tess was a member of Reynolds Mirth's team relating to an injunction brought against a major national broadcaster respecting articles posted to its website containing information subject to a publication ban. In another instance, Tess acted for the Canadian Media Lawyers Association (CMLA) in relation to the right of the public to access transcripts of Court of Appeal proceedings. In the third instance, Tess advocated for the right of the media to have advance notice of applications to restrict public and media access to court documents.