Member Dispute Resolution Program
Stressed out from conflict or poor communication with a colleague or opposing counsel? Feel like you need some help resolving the problem, but it’s not serious enough to call in the Law Society? The CBA has a new Member Dispute Resolution service, run by lawyer volunteers who will talk to you on a confidential basis to help work out disputes that aren’t reportable Law Society matters. This is your chance to talk the issue through with a lawyer mediator, and seek discreet counsel on how to handle it.


Membership Protocol
As directed at the last Law Society Annual General Meeting in September 2002, the CBABC developed and approved a protocol to respond to those members of the Law Society who do not wish to be recognized as a member of the Canadian Bar Association. The full wording of the Protocol is available at www.bccba.org (Lawyer Lounge).

The Protocol was developed in response to the concerns of some members that there be a respectful option for members who, for reasons of personal principle, do not wish to be associated with a position or action of the Association.

The Membership Protocol was approved by the CBABC Executive Committee and Provincial Council, and was forwarded to the Executive Committee of the Law Society of B.C. on April 17, 2003. To date, no formal response has been received. However, the CBA is operating on the basis that the Protocol is a CBABC policy.


New Sections!
At the June 21, 2003 Provincial Council meeting, the Elder Law Section was approved. This brings the number of CBABC Sections to 73. The Women Lawyers Forum is another addition to Section enrolment this year. Read Frank Kraemer’s article on page 3 to learn more about these new additions.

Section enrolment packages, including a 2004 Directory order form, have been mailed to every CBABC member. Keep up to date on practice trends and new developments in the law. Last year 365 Section meetings were held throughout B.C. enabling members to network with colleagues and to discuss issues affecting specific areas of practice. Please contact the CBABC if you have not received an enrolment form for 2003/2004.


Lawyers Who Write
With her professional colleagues in 12 cities worldwide, CBABC member, Colleen Ann Fee has launched an International Literary Salon of more than 30 artists, scientists and professionals, including CBA members.

The Salon, which is administered by the literary services agency, Fresh Wet Talent, continues the tradition of lawyers who write. The mandate of the Salon is to foster discourse and promote English literature appreciation globally. The Salon currently features an English Language Monologue Contest open to amateur and professional writers. The seven winners will receive cash honorariums, a workshop and presentation in the inaugural Salon performance.


Mock Trial to Highlight Benefits of Technology
The Pacific Legal Technology Conference’s Electronic Trial Track will feature a U.S. criminal lawyer facing off against Mr. Richard Fowler on the opposite side of a criminal trial before Mr. Justice Glen Parrett and a jury of law students. This mock trial will highlight how technology can be used during a trial opening, during direct and cross-examination, and during a jury summation. Following the verdict, the judge, the jury, and the lawyers will provide feedback on the effectiveness of the technology in the trial process.


Multiple Sclerosis Society’s VLAP Program Thanks Volunteers
The Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Volunteer Legal Advocacy Program (VLAP) has been in successful operation since January 2002 due to the dedication of the many lawyers who have donated their time and expertise to the program. The MS Society’s VLAP extends deep appreciation to its volunteer lawyers in recognition of their efforts to help people living with multiple sclerosis have access to justice and equality. Thanks to the following volunteer lawyers: Vaughan Allin; Sylvia Andrews; Kenneth Armstrong; Jo Ann Carmichael, QC; Dick Chan; Seema Chaskar; David Christian; Tim Delaney; Diana Dorey; Vicki Easingwood; Del Elgersma; John Grover; Gordon Kopelow; Jan Lindsay; Tim Louis; Malcolm Maclean; Kirsten Madsen; Brian McCrea; Mary McManus; Edward Ng; Kathleen Packard; Elaine Reynolds; Alan Ross; Sonja Sanguinetti; Shawn Smith; and Sadie Wetzel.

Special thanks for the continued support and commitment of Charlotte Ensminger of Pro Bono Law of B.C., Glenn Gallins of the Law Centre and John Pavey of the Salvation Army Pro Bono Program. VLAP would also like to recognize the Law Foundation of B.C. and the Notary Foundation of B.C. for their funding. For more information on the program, or to volunteer for VLAP, please contact Adrianne Boothroyd at 604.602.3204.


Vancouver Young Lawyer to Intern in Africa
Congratulations to Delia Ramsbotham, a first year Associate at Davis & Company, who has been accepted into the Youth International Internship Program. Delia is one of 10 young lawyers across Canada selected for this worthwhile program. In September she will begin a six month work term in Windhoek, Namibia.

The CBA administers the Youth International Internship Program which is funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Through this program, young lawyers are placed in eight-month internships (they are overseas for between six and seven months of that time) to work with human rights legal organizations in Southern and Central Africa and Latin America.

The program has two objectives: to provide human rights legal organizations abroad with interns who have the expertise to make a professional contribution to their work; and to give young lawyers, at the start of their careers, international experience to help them obtain employment in the field of law and international human rights legal work.


New Electronic Products at BCCLS Libraries
BCCLS is pleased to announce that as of June, 2003, all B.C. Courthouse libraries have access to two new Internet subscriptions: the British Columbia Statute Service and the Canadian Human Rights Reporter.

The British Columbia Statute Service contains the ongoing consolidation of the Revised Statutes of B.C. 1996, the Regulations of B.C., and the British Columbia Statute Citator. The statutes in this service are more current than those published by the Queen’s Printer on its free site. The B.C. Statute Service also provides a history of amendments to each statute while selected cases that interpret statutory language or intent are linked to the text of the relevant section.

The Canadian Human Rights Reporter Internet subscription provides the full text of all the decisions in the Canadian Human Rights Reporter, as well as recent unreported human rights decisions.


Lawyers Assistance Program
Options For Lawyers: What Can You Do With Your Law Degree?
The CBABC and the Lawyers Assistance Program of B.C. present “What Can You Do With Your Law Degree?” on Friday, November 7, 2003 at the Plaza 500 Hotel, 500 West 12th Avenue Vancouver, B.C.

All of us need to know that we have options –that we don’t have to feel trapped in an unsatisfactory career or in a stale mode of practising law. If you want to learn more about your own options, about what your law degree really makes possible, book Friday, November 7th on your calendar. From 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. you’ll engage in a practical exploration of where you want to be, and what steps you can take to get there. You’ll also talk to others who have already made changes. Past participants of the program have commented on the “excellent value” of the day, and reported high satisfaction with the content. “I feel re-invigorated to look at things in a different way,” said one lawyer.

Registration is $90.95 ($85.00 plus GST) per person. The deadline for registration is October 17th – book now! Cheques payable to the Lawyers Assistance Program may be sent to: Lawyers Assistance Program, 415-1080 Mainland Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6B 2T4. Visa and Mastercard accepted. Fax: 604.685.2179. For more information on this event call Derek LaCroix at 604.685.2171 or 1.888.685.2171.

LAP provides confidential support, counselling and referrals for lawyers, their families, support staff, judges and students suffering from alcohol and/or chemical dependency, stress, depression or just about any type of personal problem. For assistance or information on meetings and resources please call 604-685-2171 or toll free 1.888.685.2171. The LAP office address is 415-1080 Mainland Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6B 2T4. Visit LAP on the Internet at www.lapbc.com.


Pro Bono Law of British Columbia
Pat Pitsula Takes Helm at Pro Bono Law of BC
Pat Pitsula is the new Executive Director of Pro Bono Law of B.C. (PBLBC). The Law Society of B.C. and the Canadian Bar Association incorporated PBLBC to promote access to justice by facilitating and coordinating opportunities for B.C. lawyers to provide pro bono legal services to people of limited means, and by supporting programs delivering pro bono services. PBLBC believes that pro bono should complement, not replace, government-funded programs to ensure access to justice. Lobbying for a properly funded legal aid system is part of PBLBC’s mandate.

The linking power of www.probononet.bc.ca, enables lawyers to respond directly to needs identified by communities. To learn how you may become involved in this innovative program visit the Web site or call 604.893.8932.

PBLBC is appreciative of funding from the Law Foundation of B.C., for both its operational expenses and also for the Poverty Law Training Project, that aims to support the private bar in providing pro bono poverty law services in B.C.


Notice to the Profession
ICBC has made a submission to the Supreme Court Rules Revision Committee requesting the cost of photocopying in the litigation process be given a statutory rate and that the rate be fixed at $0.15 per copy. In Giuliani v. Saville the B.C. Court of Appeal sanctioned a rate of $0.30 per copy when copies are produced at the request of the other party. Registrars typically allow other photocopying at $0.15 per copy. Obviously, photocopying expenses may vary widely depending on the infrastructure established to produce copies.

While on a case-by-case basis the cost may not be significant, the CBABC would like to afford the opportunity to members to respond to the submission by ICBC. It should be noted that ICBC’s proposal would extend not only to MVA cases, but also to commercial and other forms of litigation where photocopying considerations may be quite different. The Supreme Court Rules Revision Committee may be contacted at the Law Courts, 800 Smithe Street, Vancouver, B.C., V6Z 2E1.

This article was published in the August 2003 issue of BarTalk. © 2003 The Canadian Bar Association. All rights reserved.