Justice Iacobucci Praises BC Law Courts Education Society
The Honourable Mr. Justice Iacobucci provided the keynote address at a fundraising dinner for the Law Courts Education Society of BC on October 19 in Vancouver.

The Supreme Court of Canada Justice spoke on the democratic dialogue between Canada’s courts and communities and how the community work of the Society embodies the underlying principles of the Canadian Constitution, saying, “Without an active and evolving dialogue between our citizens and the institutions which they choose to put into place, these constitutional principles are nothing more than empty covenants on meaningless paper... Your efforts are positioned precisely at the place where these principles come alive.”

Other speakers at the event included Deputy Attorney General Maureen Maloney, QC, Hon. Mr. Justice Wallace Oppal of the Supreme Court of BC (President of the Law Courts Education Society) and Martin R. Taylor, QC (President Emeritus of the Society). The event marked 20 years of law courts education in BC with over 270 guests, including judges, lawyers, teachers, government officials, and community representatives.

The Law Courts Education Society of BC is a non-profit organization providing public educational programs and resources about the courts and legal system. The Society has six regional offices throughout BC and a head office at the Vancouver Law Courts.

For more information on the LCES, call Jeni Vlahovic at 604.660.9870.


Canada: A Refuge or Not?
In the first of a series of forums co-sponsored by the BC Branch and Simon Fraser University at Harbour Centre Vancouver, members of the public were invited to attend an evening of “dialogue and ideas” about the controversial topic of refugee policy and law. More than 125 people attended this colourful event which featured Ian Mulgrew—as moderator, with a diverse panel of speakers which included Martin Collacott, Phil Rankin, Catherine Sas, Lillian To and Don DeVoretz.

The Public Opinion and the Law series was developed to encourage informed public debate and education about Canadian law and its role in everyday life. Based on research both in BC and in the United States, we know that people who are informed about the system of justice are more likely to respect and support it and the lawyers who work within it. BC Branch member Marvin Stark, QC was the instigator of the series concept, and helped bring the Bar and SFU together to accomplish this goal. Past President Doug Robinson, QC and Communications Committee Chair Ed Macaulay worked hard to bring the concept to fruition, in cooperation with SFU representatives Margit Nance, Wanda Cassidy and Ruth Yates. The next forum in the series will be on “Judges and Public Opinion”, and will be held in the Spring—watch for details to be announced in the February issue of BarTalk.


Kelowna President’s Forum
The popular CBA President’s Forums continue on April 14, 2000 with “The Business of Law: Specialization and Success in the Practice of Law”. The Forum, to be held in Kelowna, will feature Richard Mendelson, a lawyer and vineyard owner from the Napa Valley in California. Richard practices “Wine Law” and will speak on the subject of “Specialization in the Practice of Law”.

Discussion topics will include:

• multi-disciplinary partnerships;
• interjurisdictional practice of law;
• the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and the World Trade Organization negotiations regarding trade in and regulation of professional services;
• building a successful law firm;
• succession plans for law firms;
• marketing your practice;
• home offices for profit and fun; and
• technology tradeshow.

For more information on the Forum, please contact Carman Overholt, Co-Chair, Program Committee at 604.631.1203 or Meg Shaw, Co-Chair, Program Committee at 250.762.2252.


Media Workshop Tackles Mental Health Issues
On Saturday November 13, Branch President Mayland McKimm addressed media attending the CBA BC Branch/Law Society of BC’s workshop, “Mental Health and the Law: Who’s Falling Through the Cracks.” Calling on all media to ensure accuracy in their reporting of legal issues, Mr. McKimm said that those within the legal system and those who report on it have a shared responsibility to ensure “public confidence in the best system of justice in the world.” Media participants had an opportunity to listen to presentations and to interact on an informal basis with panel members, including: Constable Dave Kolb of the Vancouver City Police and the “Odd Squad”; Chief Judge Robert Metzger of the Provincial Court of BC; Janine Corrado of the Mental Patients Association; Dr. Rakesh Lamba, Consulting Clinical Forensic Psychiatrist; Ann Pollak, formerly of the Community Legal Assistance Society; Crown lawyer Lyle Hillaby; and Nancy Hall, Mental Health Advocate for BC. The BC Branch thanks all those who attended this free Saturday event in support of accurate and informed media reporting.


Guile, QC Debating Cup
A select group of young men and women gathered at the Law Courts Inn on Friday, November 19, to spar in the age-old tradition of formal debate, in front of an appreciative “jury“ and panel of judges. It was a clear case of “good time had by all” by all accounts. In the spirit of an inimitable humourist and respected Vancouver litigator, the 1999 Guile Cup was awarded to two young debators who won with a combination of verbal jousting, intellectual acuity and a delicious sense of fun. Congratulations to Lanny Robinson and Martin Panther who each won $500 for their winning efforts, and to Ali Kanji and Jason Kuzminski who took home $250 each in consolation. Many thanks to the organizers and judges.

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