Legal Aid Test Case Moving Forward on Two Fronts

The CBA's legal aid test case is moving forward on two fronts, reports Susan McGrath, CBA Past President and spokesperson on legal aid. “Our test case counsel are currently preparing for discovery of documents. We are hoping that both sides cooperate to move the discovery phase expeditiously forward.”

At the same time, counsel has reached an agreement with the defendants about timing of defendants' applications to strike out the CBA's statement of claim. The hearing will begin on June 19. “The CBA had anticipated this type of preliminary challenge,” notes Susan McGrath. The test case was launched on June 20, 2005.

More information www.cba.org/CBA/Advocacy/legalAid/

Supreme Court of Canada Intervention

In keeping with its public interest advocacy policy, the CBA has intervened before the Supreme Court in the case of Little Sisters Book and Art Emporium v. Commissioner of Customs and Revenue. The issue is whether advanced costs can be granted to a small, for-profit corporation involved in Charter litigation.

The CBA sees this as an access-to-justice issue, and has intervened to argue that advanced costs should not be limited to not-for-profit groups undertaking Charter challenges. This is one of a series of cases in which CBA will intervene, with a view to building a better foundation for the legal aid test case. The CBA is represented by J.J. Camp, QC and Melina Buckley, both of Vancouver, who are also counsel for the legal aid test case.

International Treaties and Conventions

Need an update on the increasing number of International law decisions and interpretations? This one-day CBA Continuing Legal Education seminar delivers the goods for you on Sept. 29, 2006 in Montreal.

Leading experts will offer updates on decisions and interpretations on international treaties and conventions related to:

• Trade and investment (e.g. WTO, NAFTA)
• Commercial transactions and private international law (e.g. Sales of Goods, arbitration)
• Labour and human rights (e.g. ILO, CEDAW, European Court of Human Rights).

Details and registration www.cba.org/cba/cle/cle00/intl_06.aspx

Required Reporting

The Law Society now requires lawyers to report annually on their professional development activities. The Benchers also now encourage each practising lawyer in B.C. to complete a minimum of 12 hours of coursework (the equivalent of two full course days) and 50 hours of self-study each year. The targets are set as minimum expectations for the profession but are not mandatory. Attendance at CBA Section presentations is reportable as coursework, and review of Section minutes/materials is reportable as self-study hours (as long as it is not for the purpose of research for a file/case).

CBA PracticeLink – Podcasting: The Latest Addition to the Legal Marketing Toolkit

CBA PracticeLink has developed a new podcast on, what else, podcasting! Podcasting lets lawyers showcase their expertise in a convenient, innovative and professional-looking format, and requires very little time and money. It can also help you enhance your online presence, become a leader in a niche market, and generate leads for new work.

To listen, and to check out the site’s new interactive features and newsfeeds, visit: www.cba.org/practicelink.

These articles were published in the June 2006 issue of BarTalk and are subject to the copyright by the British Columbia Branch of the Canadian Bar Association, 2006, all rights reserved.