SOQUIJ and Criminal Record Check Quebec


Quebec flag to represent SOQUIJ and criminal record check Quebec

Are you wondering how to find information about provincial court cases in Québec? The SOQUIJ database provides access to information on published civil, criminal, and penal judicial records in the province of Québec.

In this blog post we cover everything you need to know about SOQUIJ and a criminal record check Quebec.

Quebec City skyline in winter

About SOQUIJ

The Société québécoise d’information juridique (SOQUIJ) is a renowned legal information organization based in Québec. It specializes in the collection, analysis, and dissemination of legal information to legal professionals, researchers, and the general public.

Founded in 1976 by an act of the Québec National Assembly, SOQUIJ supports professionals in their search for information and the public in its understanding of the law.

The SOQUIJ database facilitates searches of public court records and pending charges in Québec, which is an important part of pre-employment screening, but it doesn’t cover criminal records from the federal Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) maintained by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). It’s not a criminal record check Quebec. Having said that, it’s still a powerful background screening tool!

More Details on SOQUIJ:

Purpose and Mission: SOQUIJ’s primary mission is to enhance access to legal information and promote the development of the Québec legal community. It aims to provide reliable, up-to-date, and comprehensive legal information services to support legal research and decision-making processes.

Legal Database: SOQUIJ operates a comprehensive legal database that contains an extensive collection of legal documents and decisions. It includes case law, legislation, regulations, legal doctrine, and legal commentary specific to Québec.

Case Law: SOQUIJ is known for its expertise in Québec case law. It collects, analyzes, and indexes court decisions from various Québec courts, including the Court of Appeal, Superior Court, Court of Québec, and administrative tribunals. These decisions are available in their original language and are annotated to facilitate legal research. Translation: it’s a lawyer’s best friend.

Legal Commentary: SOQUIJ publishes legal commentaries, journals, and scholarly articles contributed by legal experts and professionals. These publications cover various legal topics and provide in-depth analysis and interpretation of the law. Its publications are available online and in print.

Legislation: SOQUIJ also offers an extensive collection of Québec legislation. It provides up-to-date versions of statutes and regulations, ensuring that legal professionals have access to the most current laws in Quebec.

Online Services: SOQUIJ provides online access to its legal database through its website. Legal professionals and researchers can search for and retrieve legal information, including case law, legislation, and legal commentaries. The online platform offers advanced search capabilities and tools to facilitate efficient legal research.

SOQUIJ Background Check

SOQUIJ plays a vital role in the legal landscape of Québec, offering a wide range of legal information resources and services to support legal professionals, researchers, and the public in their quest for reliable and up-to-date legal information. Certn uses its proprietary technology to produce the fastest turnaround time for SOQUIJ queries because we automate the search.

SOQUIJ itself doesn’t offer services for a criminal record check Quebec (its main function is to collect, analyze, and disseminate legal information, including case law, legislation, and legal commentaries), but paired with a criminal record check, you can learn about federal, provincial, and municipal risk-relevant information to evaluate a candidate’s suitability for a job. It’s what we recommend to many clients hiring in Québec.

Certn’s SOQUIJ Background Checks

Using Certn is easier.

Our automated screening platform allows you to request background checks in several easy ways.

Certn gives you access to federal, provincial, and municipal records safely and securely from one platform and consolidates all results into one easy-to-interpret report. Plus, you can run SOQUIJ queries and get a criminal record check Québec all from the same place instead of going directly to SOQUIJ, and then to CPIC, and then back to your hiring platform.

Certn ATS Integration

We can integrate our background checks into the hiring software you already use. That way, your applicants can complete the background check step as part of the onboarding process. Integration to platforms such as Workable, Breezy HR, Fountain, and Greenhouse helps your business stay on top of screening. Certn can also white-label the screening step for your company so you can email an invitation to a prospective employee that matches your candidate experience.

Certn Mobile Experience

With our easy-to-use platform, you can perform all the checks you need to make – in whatever location – to get the full picture and find the best employee for the job. According to recruitment benchmarks, 76.9% of retail and hospitality job applications are completed on a phone. Why not extend your screening experience to a smartphone as well to reduce candidate drop-off? 80% of candidates complete their Certn background checks from a mobile device, so it’s a perfect match!

SOQUIJ FAQ

What’s a criminal record check Quebec?

A criminal record check Quebec provides information about an individual’s interactions with the criminal justice system, including charges, convictions, and sentences. It helps employers, licencing authorities, and other organizations assess an individual’s suitability for certain positions, such as those involving high-security environments or positions of trust.

How are SOQUIJ records different from a criminal record check Quebec?

SOQUIJ records and a criminal record check are different in terms of their scope and the information they provide. SOQUIJ records primarily focus on legal cases and court decisions within Québec. They offer a comprehensive database of legal information, including civil, administrative, and criminal cases, as well as legal doctrine and commentary. 

On the other hand, a criminal record check Quebec refers specifically to a search conducted by law enforcement agencies or authorized organizations to determine an individual’s criminal history. It involves accessing records related to arrests, convictions, and other criminal activities.

Why does SOQUIJ matter in pre-employment screening?

While SOQUIJ itself doesn’t offer services for a criminal record check Quebec, its database serves as a vital resource for legal research about a candidate. By complementing a criminal record check with SOQUIJ queries, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of a candidate’s background and suitability for employment.

Are Quebec court records public?

Yes, court records in Québec are generally considered to be public. In Canada, including Québec, there’s a principle of open courts that promotes transparency and public access to court proceedings and records. This principle ensures that justice is administered fairly and openly. 

However, it’s important to note that certain exceptions and restrictions may apply to the public disclosure of court records. Additionally, while court records are generally public, accessing and obtaining specific court records may require following certain procedures and paying fees. The exact process for accessing court records in Quebec varies depending on the court and the type of record being sought.

What’s the provincial court of Québec?

The provincial court of Québec is known as the Court of Quebec (Cour du Québec). The Court has jurisdiction over criminal matters, civil disputes, administrative matters, youth protection, and small claims.

Image of Quebec public court documents in SOQUIJ database

Fast, Accurate SOQUIJ Results

This blog post covers how to access legal records in Québec and covers how the SOQUIJ database is a valuable resource for legal information. While SOQUIJ doesn’t provide services for a criminal record check Quebec, combining SOQUIJ queries with a criminal record check can provide a comprehensive assessment of a candidate’s suitability for employment. 

Schedule a demo today to talk to one of our experts to dig deeper into the province’s criminal records with a SOQUIJ search and a criminal record check.

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