New Civil Trial Juror Fees
On April 1, 2003 the fees paid to jurors in criminal trials were raised in recognition that lengthy trials are occurring with increased frequency, and a long trial imposes a greater financial hardship on jurors than does a short trial.

On November 3, 2003 the fees paid to jurors by litigants increased to match those paid to jurors in criminal trials. The new fee schedule provides $20 per day for the first 10 days of trial, $60 per day for days 11 to 49 and $100 per day for days 50 and thereafter.


UBC Family Law Research Project
The UBC Program on Dispute Resolution is conducting independent and confidential research to identify the factors that facilitate or impede the effective resolution of Supreme Court family law disputes. The research team is interviewing parties, counsel and mediators involved in randomly selected closed family files.

In order to obtain a balanced view of these important issues, the input of experienced family law practitioners is critical. If you receive an invitation to be interviewed, the research team hopes you will agree to participate.

The project is managed by Kari Boyle and Sharon Sutherland and all activities are overseen by a Joint Management Committee. For more information visit: www.ubc.ca or e-mail kboyle@telus.net or call 604.838.2149.


Lawyers Assistance Program (LAP)
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.


Law Courts Education Society Project
“Developmental Disabilities and the Justice System”
Despite some positive changes in recent years, the justice system does not serve people with developmental disabilities well. In response to this concern, the Law Courts Education Society of B.C. (the “Society) has developed an educational program to provide justice system staff with the necessary knowledge, skill sets, and resources to understand and interact with people who have developmental disabilities. Developmental Disabilities and the Justice System: A Training Package enables police, lawyers, sheriffs, judges, court registry staff, probation officers and others to:

• Recognize the unique justice-related needs of people with developmental disabilities;
• Identify a person with a developmental disability; and
• Adapt their work routine to meet the needs of someone with a developmental disability.

To implement this unique education program across Canada, the Society is creating a national network of partners that includes justice system personnel, public legal education groups and developmental disability organizations. The Society will facilitate Train-the-Trainer workshops for partners to learn and plan how to deliver the program at local and regional levels.

Developing skills, knowledge and awareness within the justice system across Canada will help protect this vulnerable group of people who can easily become victimized and who are at risk to offend or re-offend.

The Training Package (a Facilitator’s Guide and six-part video) includes information such as:

• The terminology, criteria, diagnosis and identification of a developmental disability;
• Experiences of developmentally disabled victims and offenders in the criminal justice system; and
• Effective strategies for communicating and interacting with a developmentally disabled person.

For more information on the program, or to participate in a workshop call 604.775.0209 (e-mail info@lawcourtsed.ca).

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