Small Claims Court Mediation Practicum
As of March 1, 1998, users of Small Claims Court at Robson Square Provincial Court and Surrey Provincial Court have the opportunity to participate in early, free mediation. Mediations will last for approximately two hours, and parties will be assisted in preparing the appropriate court form for any agreement they reach at mediation. The opportunity to elect mediation will arise once a reply is filed, except in personal injury claims, where the parties will be asked to wait until after the Certificate of Readiness is filed. Parties may also elect mediation following a Settlement Conference. For further information, call 684-1300.


Passages: Allan Bate
The Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch, extends deepest sympathies to the family and friends of 1997 Georges A. Goyer, QC Award winner Allan Bate, QC. Mr. Bate died on February 1, 1998. Mr. Bate was well-known across British Columbia and the Yukon Territories as a compassionate, ethical lawyer with excellent litigation skills and “a heart of gold”. A 1950 graduate of the University of British Columbia, Mr. Bate was called to the Bar in 1951. After two years in Vancouver, Mr. Bate began the first of five years of practice in the Yukon Territories. Upon his return to Vancouver, Mr. Bate was employed in the City Prosecutor’s Office for five years, and then practiced in Kamloops, Vernon and, finally, Prince George. After 31 years of practice in Prince George, including 15 years as ad hoc Crown Counsel, Mr. Bate recently moved to Chemainus, British Columbia.

“His humility is legendary; his experience, knowledge, wisdom, wit and humour are what we could all only wish for. He has shared willingly all of these qualities and more with every lawyer who has had the privilege of working with him.”

These articles were published in the April 1998 issue of BarTalk. © 1998 The Canadian Bar Association. All rights reserved.