CBA News | December 2016

SPOTLIGHT ON CBA INTERVENTION POLICY

A year after the CBA Board voted in favour of a new intervention policy – which was officially adopted at the CBA Council meeting in February – everyone seems to be settling in to the new consultation and review process.

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CBA Influence

In case you missed it – Check out the latest issue of CBA Influence, a monthly newsletter with blog posts about CBA initiatives, submissions, interventions and comments on public policy. Combined with Focus on Parliament, with links to information about government legislative, regulatory and policy changes, this newsletter provides a 360-degree look at both our current advocacy work, and opportunities for the CBA to get involved.

Wanted

Interested in contributing to the leadership of the CBA?  Starting January 17th, 2017, members can apply for a position on the CBA Board of Directors. 

The new governance model adopted last August includes a smaller, more nimble and regionally-inclusive Board of Directors – the President and a member from each province and territory – who together reflect the diversity of the legal profession. We are looking for members who can bring a range of organizational and leadership skills to the table.

Think about it over the next few weeks, take a look at the new governance model, and stay tuned to the Elections page on cba.org for more information.

LEGISLATION MUST CLEARLY STATE INTENTION TO ABROGATE PRIVILEGE: SCC

The Supreme Court of Canada upheld the importance of solicitor-client and litigation privilege respectively – and also on the need for clear legislative language surrounding privilege – in two rulings brought down on Nov. 25.

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FILLING THE GAPS ON THE SUPREME COURT: HOW IT HAPPENED

Susan Ursel was the CBA representative on the federal advisory board created by the Prime Minister to come up with a shortlist of nominees for the Supreme Court of Canada. She tells us a bit about what that was like.

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THE 25^TH ANNIVERSARY OF CANADA’S RATIFICATION OF THE UN CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD: WE’VE COME A LONG WAY – HAVEN’T WE?

Twenty-five years later after ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Canada ranks 17^th out of 29 affluent nations for children’s overall wellbeing and drops to 26^th for inequality. So what can lawyers do to improve the welfare of Canadian children?

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JPS ON AUDIT INQUIRIES

Updates to the JPS on Audit Inquiries come into effect December 1, 2016. Are you ready? The CBA has prepared FAQs and a flowchart to explain the changes to the JPS communication protocols. You can find webinars and other resources outlining the impact of the changes on the profession on the CBA JPS website.

CBA INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES UPDATE – VISIT FROM VIETNAMESE DELEGATION

In November 12 directors and legal officials from Vietnam’s Finance and Justice ministries came to Ottawa and Toronto as part of a study mission. They paid a visit to the CBA to learn about how the Association influences law and policy reform.

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DORON GOLD WINS CBA WELLNESS AWARD

Doron Gold, a co-author of the CBA’s free online course Mental Health and Wellness in the Legal Profession, is the winner of this year’s CBA Wellness Award.

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IT’S NOT GOODBYE… JUST AU REVOIR

The CBA has played witness to most of the major milestones in Hannah Bernstein’s life and now the time has come for one more: our Director, Communications will be retiring in January. Hannah takes this opportunity, in one of the many communications vehicles she helped to create, to say goodbye.

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SKILLED LAWYER SERIES 2017: THE LEGAL LIFE CYCLE OF A BUSINESS

The ever-popular Skilled Lawyer Series is coming back in January 2017 with two new streams of webinars offering 12 CPD hours each. Read on to find out how you can up your game.

CALLING ALL CHANGE-MAKERS: CCCA NATIONAL CONFERENCE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

As a change maker, looking towards the future and not the past, you’ll want to join your in-house counsel colleagues at CCCA’s National Conference: Agents of Change. This conference is your opportunity to collaborate with prominent thought leaders and futurists to gain insights on navigating our transforming legal landscape. Early bird registration is now open. Change your future and register now.

SECTION NEWS

SWORD AND SCALE OPEN ESSAY COMPETITION

The inaugural Sword and Scale Open Essay Competition was established by the CBA Military Law Section to promote and reward interest in military law topics by Canadian law school graduates, articling students, lawyers and academics. The winner will receive a cash prize of $250 and more! Visit the Section webpage for more information on criteria and eligibility. Submissions must be received by Jan. 30, 2017.

UPCOMING CONFERENCES

The Administrative and Labour and Employment Law Sections are meeting up in Ottawa this fall for a conference titled Evolution, Revolution, Devolution? Sounds exciting. We have a sneak preview of next year’s CCCA conference. Read on for information about these and other fall conferences.

Member Benefits

CANADIAN BAR INSURANCE ASSOCIATION (CBIA)

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LENOVO

Cheerful giving begins with Lenovo! Cutting edge smart devices such as Lenovo Yoga convertibles and Tablets, best of class ThinkPad 2-n-1 PCs are the gifts that your loved ones open all year long! Instant Savings up to 42% off select PC's while supplies last this holiday season plus get FREE ground shipping on all web orders. Visit your online store to take advantage of these great deals and check some holiday gifts off your list.

FIRSTDATA

First Data has recently helped a CBA member save $22,000 per year by doing a Free Cost Analysis regarding their merchant services. To see how much you can save, email First Data 1 copy of your merchant statement to cba@firstdata.com.

Set aside 5 minutes and take advantage of your membership with the CBA!

ERASSURE

Do you hate administration bonds? ERAssure can make it easier, saving you valuable time and your client money! And ERAssure Estate Administration Insurance can take some exposure out of the personal indemnity your client gives to the bonding company.  ERAssure.  Good for clients. Smart for lawyers.

STAGE2DATA

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