Ambitious program ignites interest in annual event

Law Day celebrates the anniversary of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, each year with a different theme – the 2005 theme was “TV Lawyers: Fact or Fiction.” In B.C., Law Day has expanded to a full week of activities. Law Week events are organized by lawyers in their local communities.

The CBA thanks the Law Week Committee members for their hard work in organizing Law Week 2005. The Committee, chaired by Michael Warsh, included Madam Justice Laura Gerow, Karen Carteri, Michael Dunn, Barbara Sage, Debbie Granger, Sarah Klinger, Arsen Krekovic, Darlene Leavitt and Forrest Nelson.

Law Week is funded by the Canadian Bar Association, the Law Foundation of B.C. and the Vancouver Bar Association.

Open Houses
Open houses were held in Courtenay, Duncan, Kamloops, Nanaimo, Vancouver, Vernon and Victoria. They included mock trials, meet the sheriff, taser demos, tours, law classes, law consultations, Q&As with judges, speeches, information booths and more. Here are a few summaries of local events:

Courtenay – Saturday, April 16
Law Day in the Comox Valley was celebrated with an Open House at the Courtenay Courthouse. Members of the local bar association held seminars on Child Support Guidelines, Custody and Access, Will and Estates and Representation Agreements – all of which were very well-attended.

There was free cookies, juice and balloons for children. Throughout the day, people visited the courthouse and the local sheriff’s staff gave cell tours.

The highlight of the day was a mock trial by a local theatre group. The Big Bad Wolf was on trial for a variety of crimes and Mother Goose presided over the proceedings. In a strange turn of events, it was discovered that Billy Bob Wolf was the perpetrator, under the evil guidance of Mother Goose herself, who was led away in shackles.

The day ended with a Judge’s Q&A Forum with Judge Carol Lazar and Judge Keith Libby. Thanks to all those who made this celebration of the Charter a success!

Duncan – Wednesday, April 26
Law Week activities consisted of an Open House held at the local courthouse. There were many participating entities including the Cowichan Valley Bar Association, Court Registry Staff, Probation, the RCMP, Victim’s Services, Crown Counsel and Sheriffs. Members of the local bar were available to answer legal questions and a Law & Order career room was set up. There were seminars on Pardons, Wills and Estate Planning, Small Claims, Legal Services, Family, and Residential Tenancies.

Kamloops – thursday, April 14
On April 14, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. the Kamloops bar, Sheriff’s Office, courthouse staff, RCMP, various support services and Kamloops Notaries’ Public held the first Kamloops Open House in more than 10 years.

The search demonstration by the RCMP (with their dog) was particularly popular. The bar also conducted an Alice in Wonderland mock trial with an actual judge, prosecutor and defence counsel. Alice was found “not guilty” despite clear evidence that she committed the dastardly deed. This trial attracted many visitors. Several lawyers were available to answer Family, Criminal, Personal Injury and Estate questions.

Sincere thanks to the volunteers who contributed to the success of the Open House. Special thanks also to Law Librarian Denise Caldwell, who did an excellent job of organizing this event.

Vancouver – Saturday, April 30
The CBA hosted a Law Week Open House at UBC Robson Square in downtown Vancouver on April 30 between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

The Open House had four free 90-minute legal classes offered by the People’s Law School for members of the public. The topics were Child and Spouse Support, Wills and Estates, Custody and Access and Employment Standards. An article in the Vancouver Sun on April 29 publicizing the classes was very helpful in motivating people to attend. In all, more than 400 people participated in the event.

At midday keynote speakers stepped up to the podium. In the afternoon grade six students from York House School performed an Alice in Wonderland mock trial. Barb Sage, who facilitated the mock trial said, “The students enjoyed the experience and were delighted to be filmed by three TV stations in their homemade costumes. Overall, I think they gained a enhanced understanding of the Canadian legal system.”

In addition to the legal classes, speeches and mock trial, there were information booths by law-related and service organizations.

Victoria – Saturday, April 16
Victoria’s first Law Day celebration in many years was a success, much to the delight of the Victoria Committee: Darlene Leavitt; Forrest Nelson; Kerry Simmons; Sarah Klinger; and Suzanne Bell of Court Services. The trial of the Three Little Pigs ran twice, with the jury box filled with young jurors (Sneezy the Wolf was found guilty each time) and the courtroom full of spectators.

Members of the public also filled the courtroom to hear “Court Talk” by Sylvia Sangha of the Law Courts Education Society and to participate in the Q&A session with Mr. Justice Malcolm Macaulay. There were information booths by law-related and service organizations. One of the most popular events was the opportunity to take a tour of the holding cells and Sheriff Services transport vehicles.

The pairing with the Second Annual Glenlyon Norfolk Provincial Moot Competition was also very successful, as students from various B.C. high schools competed for best argument. Penticton High School and Shawnigan Lake School placed first and second, respectively.

Local organizers sincerely thank those who made Law Day the success that it was: the lawyers who played parts in the trial and at other venues; the court clerks and sheriffs who volunteered their time; and the CBA and the Victoria Bar Association for their sponsorship of the event.

This article was published in the June 2005 issue of BarTalk. © 2005 The Canadian Bar Association. All rights reserved.