Imre Finta was a commander of the Gendarmerie in Szeged, Hungary, during World War II.

In 1988, he was charged with unlawful confinement, robbery, kidnapping and manslaughter under the war crimes provisions in the Criminal Code.

During the pre-trial, Finta's lawyers, Doug Christie and Barbara Kulaszka, challenged the constitutionality of the criminal charges as a violation of section 11(b) of the Charter.

In the earlier decision of R v Finta, [1993] 1 SCR 1138 the Supreme Court granted standing to intervene to the Human Rights League of B'nai B'rith Canada, the Canadian Jewish Congress and InterAmicus.

Cory also found that the provisions did not violate section seven of the Charter as the delay was not contrary to any principles of fundamental justice.