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").
Rural lawyers heading for cities March 09, 2012 Where have all the lawyers gone? To the city, it seems.
What the #!%*?: B.C. legal troubles may see 2,500 cases thrown out February 14, 2012 British Columbia’s justice system is facing a tipping point, with a massive backlog that may see more than 2,500 cases thrown out of court. In this occasional feature on a complex issue, the National Post’s Ian Vandaelle takes a look at what went wrong.
'Disgusting' court backlog may free hit and run accused February 13, 2012 The family of a young mother killed in a hit and run is outraged that the case against the alleged driver is among thousands in B.C. at risk of being thrown out because of a huge court backlog.