What is he charged with and what are the possible penalties?
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Decoutere told CBC News in 2014 that Ghomeshi physically attacked her during a date in 2003.
In the criminal code, sexual assault is considered to be a “hybrid” offence and sexual assault charges can be laid as summary offences (often considered to be less serious) or indictable offences (typically more serious crimes).
And even with many testimonies, it appears few convictions of sexual assault cases because of a lack of absolute proof, added Ms. Mathen.
The musician, writer and CBS broadcaster, who used to play for folk-pop band, Moxy Fruvous, was charged with four counts of sexual assault in 2014, after a total of 15 women and one man came forward with their accusations.
The woman, who first met the former CBC radio host in December 2002, says she was kissing him standing up when he yanked her to her knees by her hair and punched her hard on the side of the head.
Where will the trial be held and when will there be a verdict?
He will be tried by judge alone. Ghomeshi was born in England to Iranian parents and moved to the Toronto area as a child.
The judge: Ontario judge William Horkins is no stranger to hot-button issues. During the course of his career, Horkins served as a Crown attorney as well as a defence lawyer and made headlines three years ago when he ruled that police “carding” was unconstitutional.
Ghomeshi is represented by defense lawyer Marie Henein, whose former clients include Michael Bryant, the one-time attorney general. The charges against Bryant were ultimately dropped. She also successfully defended junior hockey coach David Frost, who was found not guilty in 2008 on four counts of sexual exploitation against two former players.
The prosecution: Colleagues described Crown counsel Michael Callaghan, 43, to The Globe as a firm but fair prosecutor respected by the courts.
Two of the victims are protected by a publication ban while the third, actress Lucy Decoutere, won the right to have it lifted.
Has Ghomeshi spoken publicly about the charges? He also said that while he engaged in “rough sex” and “adventurous forms of sex that included role-play, dominance and submission”, he only participated in sexual practices that were “mutually agreed upon, consensual, and exciting for both partners”.
The judge only trial of former broadcaster Jian Ghomeshi gets underway in Toronto on Monday.
Five days after he was sacked from the CBC, Toronto police said they were investigating Ghomeshi after two women had come forward with complaints.
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If convicted of sexual assault, he faces a maximum jail sentence of 18 months, while a choking charge carries a potential life sentence.
