News 2005
decemberDecember 2005: Into the Future: the Agenda for Civil Justice Reform
From April 30 - May 2, 2006 at the Hilton Montréal Bonaventure, Montréal, Québec, the Canadian Forum on Civil Justice presents Into the Future. The conference features 12 expert sessions presented over 3 days to bring together the legal profession, the public and influential and respected leaders of Canadian civil justice reform.
http://www.cfcj-fcjc.org/IntoTheFuture-VersLeFutur/generalInformation.htm
December 2005: New Central Number for Salvation Army BC Pro Bono Program
The Salvation Army BC Pro Bono Program has moved from Burnaby to Vancouver. Effective December 5, 2005, the new central number is 604-694-6647.
December 2005: A Guide to a Successful Interview with a Lawyer
David Mossop Q.C. of the Community Legal Assistance Society has prepared this new 9-page guide.
http://www2.povnet.org/uploads/images/292/A_Guide_to_a_
Successful_Interview_With_a_Lawyer_Nov01_05.pdf
December 2005: Judicial Review: an Overview
This guide was prepared by David Mossop Q.C. of the Community Legal Assistance Society. It is a companion piece to Judicial Review: a Lay Person's Guide, also available online. This new 8-page publication provides a brief overview of substantive information about judicial reviews.
http://www2.povnet.org/uploads/images/294/Judicial_Review_
Overview.GUIDE.edited.oct.31.05.pdf
november
November 2005: Pro Bono Telejustice Project with Ontario First Nation
As of September 2005 lawyers employed by the Ontario Ministry Attorney General in Toronto and Ottawa are providing pro bono assistance to rural communities within the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation (NAN) in north-west Ontario in partnership with the Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services (NALS). This is being done as part of a project developed by Pro Bono Law Ontario (PBLO) called the Ontario “TeleJustice Project.”
There are 49 rural communities within NAN, with an on-reserve population of approximately 30,000 people. In the first year, the Ministry of Attorney General is allowing about 20-30 government lawyers to donate a limited number of paid hours (lawyers have been asked to commit about 20 hours each over the first year) to provide pro bono services using video-conferencing, an online question/answer website, community legal education and written summary advice.
Services are being provided via an “Ask-a-Lawyer” website on an as needed basis, and the video-conferencing is estimated to take up about three hours once a month. Lawyers fill in the legal information on a pre-determined brochure or pamphlet template. Lawyers can select the volunteer activities (website, written materials, video-conferences) and the areas of law they are most comfortable with.
PBLO has received grants to cover the costs of developing the website, outreach, and the service fees involved in setting up the project infrastructure. NALS will also be able to get assistance with other legal education and support needs from the Ontario Ministry of Attorney General. For more information, visit Pro Bono Law of Ontario at their new site:
http://www.pblo.org
November 2005: New Online Multimedia Series
"Taking Your Case to the Supreme Court of British Columbia" is a series of 11 presentations that provide information to self-representing litigants about what they should know before starting a civil legal action in BC Supreme Court. Topics include: where to get help and information, resolving disputes without going to court, the civil litigation process, and preparing and appearing in court.
http://www.lawcourtsed.ca/Taking%5FYour%5FCase/
November 2005: National Office for Victims of Crime
The Government of Canada has announced the creation of a National Office for Victims to provide information and support for victims of crime. The program will include financial assistance for travel, hotel and meal expenses for those wishing to attend National Parole Board hearings. The program, which is co-sponsored by the Department of Justice and the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, began November 1, 2005.
http://canada.justice.gc.ca/en/news/nr/2005/doc_31654.html
November 2005: Legal Aid Improving Financial Eligibility Guides for Representation
The Legal Services Society is improving financial eligibility guidelines for legal representation services by basing its net household income limits on the Market Basket Measure. This means that more low-income people in BC may qualify for a legal aid lawyer to represent them.
http://www.familylaw.lss.bc.ca/elan/archives/Oct.htm
october
October 2005: Family Law and You: Representing Yourself in BC Supreme Court
Family Law and You: Representing Yourself in B.C. Supreme Court is a one-hour video resource for people representing themselves in Supreme Court on family matters.
Created in response to the growing number of British Columbians who decide to represent themselves, Family Law and You: Representing Yourself in B.C. Supreme Court looks at finding legal information, getting legal advice, attending a Judicial Case Conference and filling out and filing legal forms. Produced as a complementary learning tool for the newly opened BC Supreme Court Self Help Information Centre, the program provides useful information about court procedures for people representing themselves on family matters such as divorce, custody, access, guardianship, and support.
Family Law and You: Representing Yourself in B.C. Supreme Court centres around a studio discussion between host Maria LeRose and Mr. Justice Paul Williamson (BC Supreme Court Judge), Georgialee Lang (Family Law Practitioner) and Laurel Holonko (Family coordination, B.C. Supreme Court Self Help Information Centre). It also follows the journey of Gwen Keller, a woman representing herself in B.C. Supreme Court. Through Gwen’s story, Family Law and You introduces the resources available in British Columbian communities. The hour-long program is produced by Knowledge Network, with the participation of the Law Courts Education Society of B.C., and with funding from the Department of Justice Canada. Videocassettes of the program will be available for purchase from the Society. For further information, visit www.supremecourtselfhelp.bc.ca.
august
August 2005: RCMP Launches Arar Website
The RCMP has launched a website intended to help people stay informed as the Commission of Inquiry into the Actions of Officials in Relation to Maher Arar progresses. The site includes a Fact Sheet, Rules of Procedure, the Factual Inquiry, Terms of Reference and Schedule of Hearings.
http://www.ararcommission.ca/
july
July 2005: CBABC's Community Service Awards
Five lawyers have received a Community Service Award – the highest honour provided by the Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch (CBABC) in recognition of community involvement and contributions outside of the practice of law. The lawyers are: Lorianna Bennett, Kamloops; Christopher Doll, North Vancouver; Richard Molstad, New Westminster; Alisa Noda, Vancouver; and Gary Wilson, Vancouver.
July 2005: Judicial Review Self-Help Clinic
The Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS) has a new self-help clinic for those persons wishing to bring a judicial review in BC Supreme Court.
http://www2.povnet.org/clas
may
May 2005: Resources for Self-Representing Litigants in Supreme Court
The Supreme Court Self-Help Information Centre has a series of new materials for self-representing litigants in family and civil matters.
http://www.supremecourtselfhelp.bc.ca/self-help.htm
april
April 2005: New and Updated Resources for People with Disabilities
The Advocacy Access program of the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities has updated and created new resources to assist people with disabilities and advocates. One series provides Help Sheets on provincial disability benefits and another Help Series focuses on CPP disability.
http://www.bccpd.bc.ca/s/AdvocacyAccess.asp
April 2005: Ministry of Attorney General Announces Changes to Court Rules
Three main changes have been announced, effective September 1, 2005:
1. Rule 68 will be introduced in four Supreme Court registries (Vancouver, Victoria, Prince George, Nelson) as part of a two year pilot project to simplify court procedures. The new rule will apply to all cases under $100,000 except family and class proceedings.
2. The financial limit for small claims actions in Provincial Court will be increased to $25,000 from the current level of $10,000.
3. Civil suits against the Crown will now also be heard in B.C. Provincial Court as well as in the Supreme Court of British Columbia.
April 2005: Justice for All
Justice for All is a new website created by the BC Association for Community Living which focuses on the needs of people with developmental disabilities who come into contact with the criminal justice system, both as victims and offenders. It provides resources for individuals, families, and people working within the criminal justice system.
http://justiceforall.ca
April 2005: Delivering Poverty Law Services is now Online
The Social Planning and Research Council (SPARC BC) report, Delivering Poverty Law Services: Lessons from BC and Abroad, by Andrea Long and Anne Beveridge, is now available online.
http://www.sparc.bc.ca/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_
details&gid=18&catid=99&Itemid=110
march
March 2005: Small Claims Limit Increased
Attorney General Geoff Plant announced that effective September 1, 2005, the small claims limit will be increased to cases under $100,000, (with the exception of family law cases and class proceedings) as part of a pilot in four Supreme Court registries at Vancouver Law Courts, Victoria, Prince George and Nelson.
http://www.gov.bc.ca/bvprd/bc/channel.do?action=ministry&
channelID=-8378&navId=NAV_ID_province
february
February 2005: Government Introduces Civil Marriage Act
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Irwin Cotler has introduced in the House of Commons the Civil Marriage Act, which will extend legal capacity for Civil Marriage to same-sex couples while respecting religious freedom.
http://canada.justice.gc.ca/en/news/nr/2005/doc_31374.html
February 2005: Family Legal Aid Services Enhanced
Effective March 1, 2005, extended family services referrals will be available for legal aid clients whose high conflict cases, if left unresolved, would leave them at great risk. The Legal Services Society is implementing this new program as a result of the provincial government's recent increase to the society's core funding.
january
January 2005: CanLII Citation System
The Canadian Legal Information Institute has introduced a new citation system aimed at providing for a unique and unchanging identifier for judicial decisions. If a neutral citation has already been assigned by the issuing court, CanLII reproduces the elements of the neutral citation and adds either "CanLII" or "IIJCan" at the end. If a neutral citation has not yet been assigned, a CanLII citation will be assigned. It is composed of the year of the decision, "CanLii" or "IIJCan", a sequential CanLII number unique to the particular year and a code designating the issuing court.
http://www.canlii.org/reference_en.html