Public Legal Education Task Force Update
Through the efforts of Marvin Stark, QC, a task force has been assembled to examine the possibility of creating a public legal education program. The program would allow the public to learn and understand the way the law and the judicial system works as an integral part of society. The focus of the proposed program would be to create a series of lectures or seminars in which a number of distinguished speakers, from a variety of fields, such as political science, economics, social sciences and the law, will discuss the role of law in society.

The CBA Communications Committee has whole heartedly endorsed the task force, as has Doug F. Robinson, QC, outgoing President of the BC Branch. The initial members of the task force will be: Edward F. Macaulay; Doug F. Robinson, QC; Marvin Stark, QC; Wanda Cassidy, Director, Centre for Education, Law & Society, SFU; Margaret Nance, SFU; and Ruth Yates, SFU.

Thanks to Edward F. Macaulay, Chair of the 98/99 BC Branch Communications Committee for providing this report.


Cross/Sections
Don White, a mediator and arbitrator with extensive experience relating to the construction industry and Peter Baxter and Mark Wasarab, representatives of Canadian Dispute Resolution Corporation (CDRC) were guest speakers at the May 10, 1999 ADR - Vancouver Section Meeting. Mr. White, who has been an independent contractor for 23 years, provided background information and history leading up to the legislation under the Home Owner Protection Act and outlined the complex problems arising from faulty condominium design and construction. He took part in drafting the “Notice to Mediate” regulations arising from the Barrett Commission recommendations which are expected to become legislative requirements by July 1, 1999.

Mr. Baxter and Mr. Wasarab supplied information from the perspective of service providers specializing in construction and commercial disputes. A good service provider can bring the parties to the table, look after all administrative details and ensure that by the time the mediator becomes involved, the problem is halfway resolved.

Cross/Sections welcomes news from CBA Sections. If you have a story to tell, call Fran Hodgkins at 687.3404 or 1.888.687.3404 if you are outside the Lower Mainland.


What's the Best Technology for Lawyers?
No one knows what technology is being used today by BC lawyers. No one knows what software works best for certain areas of law practice, or what hardware has the most bugs. No one can tell you what the very best tech investments are for the new sole practitioner, and no one has figured out how to leverage the buying power of lawyers to get better products on the market. The CBA is about to change all that.

The BC Branch Member Services Committee has appointed Committee member John Ankemann to lead the 1999 BC Lawyers Technology Project. Members will be surveyed about their use of software and hardware, producing the most current assessment of what is being used by lawyers today and how well it is working on the “frontlines”. Based on the survey results, the Committee will explore opportunities with existing suppliers to improve products to meet the specific needs of lawyers. Items of interest include: voice recognition, PIMS, integrated firm practice suites, multi-function devices, Internet providers, firewalls, wireless headsets, eCommerce and privacy protection.

Watch for the survey this summer, with a final report available in mid-September. If you have questions or suggestions, contact the Technology Project staff liaison Stuart Rennie at the Branch office, 604.687.3404, ext 318.

We look forward to hosting our BC colleagues--be sure to include us in your summer plans.


Jay Chalke Appointed Public Trustee
Jay Chalke was appointed Public Trustee of BC on March 19, 1999. Formerly the Deputy Public Trustee of BC, Jay brings an extensive background in health and guardianship law to the position. Prior to joining the Public Trustee of BC, Jay was Deputy Public Guardian and Trustee in Ontario. Jay is a graduate of the University of Ottawa Law School and a member of the Law Society of BC.

The Public Trustee of British Columbia was established under provincial legislation in 1963 to protect the legal rights and financial interests of children; to provide assistance to adults who need support for financial and personal decision making; and to administer the estates of deceased and missing persons when there is no one else able to do so.


Passages
Tollestrup, Jon Frederick
Jon Tollestrup of North Vancouver, BC passed away on April 17, 1999. He was inspirational to everyone at his firm in his fight against prostate cancer for the past four years. Jon was called to the BC Bar in 1967 and practiced with Lang Michener Lawrence & Shaw in the area of civil litigation since 1969.

His wife, Jane, and children, Jonathan, Sally, Meren, Sunny, Ben and Sara have requested that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Palliative Care Unit at Lions Gate Hospital or to the Prostate Cancer Research Centre. As a husband, father, partner and friend, he will be deeply missed.

Tupper, David Wilson Hibbert, QC
David Tupper, QC passed away in UBC Hospital on February 18 of this year. His widow, Jacqueline wrote the following:

“David loved his law practice and those friends he gained both in his practice and from his practice. He believed in the system and his part in it. David also credited his secretaries with keeping him on track. David and I were married following the death of his first wife Joan, and in 1986/87 together we enjoyed his year as Treasurer of the Law Society and traveled across Canada with everyone being so warm to David and his bride. Such a fine note to complete his legal career.

I have received many personal messages from his colleagues and clients who felt David was their mentor and looked to him for practical and appropriate solutions and he rarely failed to do anything asked of him. David was said to be a gentle giant of a man, a civilized man and an honourable man. He was all of those and so much more to me and many others here and around the world. It has been comforting to hear such love and admiration of the man I knew to be so tender and caring, the best friend and partner to me and many others throughout his life and career.

Thank you everyone in the legal fraternity profession, his good friends, and colleagues for making his life such a delight for him to look back over with great pleasure these last few years.”


Office of the Police Complaint Commission Goes Online
BC’s Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner has a new web site (www.opcc.bc.ca). The web site contains information on the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner, on the complaint process, and the 1998 Annual Report.

The public are invited to visit the web site, and comments and suggestions are welcomed.

These articles were published in the June 1999 issue of BarTalk. © 1999 The Canadian Bar Association. All rights reserved.