Dishing out legal advice in Hyack Square September 05, 2012 There’s always people willing to give free legal advice, although not many of them are actually lawyers.
Justice delayed has had its day, report says August 31, 2012 Criminal cases in B.C.'s provincial courts should be resolved within six months, the lawyer charged with reviewing the backlogged justice system said Thursday.
Properly funding legal aid is important for all August 15, 2012 As a society we have to spend more on our justice system by way of legal aid. Federal Justice Minister Rob Nicholson reportedly avoided lawyers calling for more legal aid funding, made by the Canadian Bar Association at a Vancouver conference this week.
Gay magistrate judged a hero August 12, 2012 A Surrey judge's willingness to be open about his sexuality and advocate on behalf of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and two-spirited community has earned him an award from the Canadian Bar Association.
Determining direction of judicial reform hampered by lack of data July 09, 2012 The much-lauded and heavily funded Vancouver Community Court is impossible to evaluate because, like many legal system initiatives, the data isn't available.
Petition's purpose June 21, 2012 In his June 17 column, "Judges' demand for more pay seems a tad dishonourable," Michael Smyth misstates the purpose of the petition brought by the Provincial Court Judges Association.
Justice reform reviewer has a credibility problem May 15, 2012 The B.C. government-ordered justice reform review of the legal system is striking out.
B.C. Mega Trials Funnelling Through B.C. Criminal Courts April 19, 2012 The six accused are escorted by sheriffs into Vancouver's newly renovated Courtroom 67, each walking to his designated seat while rubbernecking at the few spectators in the gallery.
Judge to speak at TRU forum on restorative justice April 17, 2012 The only B.C. judge who has embraced the principle of restorative justice for Aboriginals will speak at a justice forum at TRU on May 3.
The introduction of proportionality into BC's rules of court: a new way of litigating or simply stating the obvious? April 01, 2012 On July 1, 2010, following years of consultation, debate, and revision, a new set of procedural rules was introduced to proceedings in the Supreme Court of British Columbia, the province's superior trial court (the "New Rules").