Steven Galloway’s defamation trial in British Columbia entered its fifth day this week, with testimony focusing on relationships between faculty members and students at the University of British Columbia, his former role at the school and allegations he says destroyed his career.
Galloway, a bestselling Canadian author and former chair of UBC’s creative writing program, is suing his former student, identified in court documents as A.B., and several people who repeated allegations about him online.
A.B.’s identity is protected by a publication ban.
The British Columbia Supreme Court confirmed in its publication-ban notification that an application seeking to prevent information that could identify her from being published was scheduled for October 5, 2026.
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Steven Galloway: What the court heard this week
During cross-examination, Galloway said he was aware of numerous relationships involving faculty members and students in UBC’s Faculty of Arts during the period at issue.
He testified that there was no university-wide prohibition on sexual relationships between students and faculty members at the time, while acknowledging that such relationships could create serious professional and ethical concerns.
The testimony also examined Galloway’s relationship with A.B., which he described as consensual and which he said continued as a friendship after the couple separated.
Galloway has acknowledged that the relationship was inappropriate and ill-advised.
He has denied sexually assaulting A.B.
The court also heard about a voicemail Galloway left for A.B. in November 2015.
In the message, he apologized, said he was ashamed and spoke about trying to become a better person.
Lawyers for the defendants questioned Galloway about the message, his conduct and the events that preceded the allegations becoming public.
Why the defamation case matters
Galloway’s lawsuit alleges that false or defamatory statements about sexual assault were circulated online and caused him to lose his position at UBC, damage his reputation and suffer lasting professional and personal consequences.
The case is not a criminal prosecution.
The judge is being asked to determine whether statements made or repeated by the defendants were defamatory and whether the defendants have established legal defences.
A finding that allegations were not proven in one proceeding would not, by itself, determine every issue in the civil action.
The court must assess the evidence and legal arguments presented by each party.
Galloway was never criminally charged in connection with the allegations.
A university review later became the subject of public debate, including questions about the process used by UBC and the treatment of both Galloway and the complainants.
Earlier court decisions
The lawsuit has been litigated for years before reaching trial.
In earlier proceedings, A.B. and other defendants sought to have portions of the case dismissed under British Columbia’s Protection of Public Participation Act, commonly known as anti-SLAPP legislation.
The Supreme Court of Canada dismissed an application for leave to appeal in 2020 in an earlier procedural dispute involving document disclosure in the case, as described in the court’s decision summary.
The court’s summary described the underlying action as a defamation claim brought by Galloway after allegations of physical and sexual assault were made by a former graduate student.
In October 2024, the Supreme Court of Canada also dismissed applications for leave to appeal arising from a British Columbia Court of Appeal decision involving Galloway and several defendants, according to the case file.
The dismissal allowed the case to continue toward trial.
Those rulings did not decide whether the allegations were true or whether the defendants were liable for defamation.
They dealt with procedural and legal questions arising before trial.
UBC policy has since changed
UBC later adopted a sexual-misconduct policy that prohibits intimate relationships between students and certain faculty or staff members when there is a supervisory role or influence over a student’s academic work, employment, career advancement or working conditions.
The university says the policy was approved in July 2020.
It also states that relationships that predated the policy but would now be prohibited must be disclosed and addressed under conflict-of-interest rules.
The current policy does not determine what rules applied to the events described in Galloway’s lawsuit, which took place years earlier.
Galloway describes lasting impact
Earlier in the trial, Galloway testified that he has been unable to write since the allegations became public and that the controversy ended the career he had built as an author and professor.
He became emotional while describing writing as the most important part of his life and said he wished he could return to it.
His evidence is expected to be tested against testimony from other witnesses and documentary evidence as the trial proceeds.
A.B. is not expected to testify in person, according to evidence reported from the proceedings, and the publication ban remains in place to protect her identity.
What happens next
The trial is continuing in Vancouver before the British Columbia Supreme Court.
The judge is expected to hear evidence from additional witnesses before receiving final legal submissions from the parties.
No decision has been issued on whether any defendant is legally responsible for defamation.
The court’s eventual ruling could address the boundaries between reporting allegations of sexual misconduct, public discussion of university accountability and protection against reputational harm from statements that are found to be defamatory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Steven Galloway?
Steven Galloway is a Canadian author and former University of British Columbia creative writing professor best known for the novel The Cellist of Sarajevo.
What is Steven Galloway suing over?
Galloway is suing his former student and others over statements he says falsely accused him of sexual assault and damaged his reputation and career.
Has Steven Galloway been criminally charged?
No. Galloway was not criminally charged in connection with the allegations described in the civil lawsuit.
Why is the complainant identified as A.B.?
The British Columbia Supreme Court has a publication ban protecting information that could identify the complainant.
Has the judge ruled in the case?
No. The defamation trial is ongoing, and the court has not yet ruled on liability or damages.
Fact-Checked: Key procedural facts were checked against British Columbia Supreme Court and Supreme Court of Canada records, with UBC policy information reviewed against the university’s official policy page.
Disclaimer: The allegations described in this report remain disputed, and no final decision has been issued in the ongoing civil trial.