he 2008 Nanaimo Law Day open house was held on April 12, 2008 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Nanaimo Courthouse at 35 Front Street. The theme for Law Day was “Access to Justice: Breaking Down Barriers.” In Nanaimo, Law Week is a collaborative project organized through the partnership of the Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch, the Nanaimo City Bar Association and the Nanaimo County Bar Association.

The Honourable Justice Bracken of the Supreme Court of British Columbia spoke on a topic related to Access to Justice: Breaking Down Barriers. A question and answer period followed Justice Bracken’s presentation. Law Day events included a mock trial, displays and demonstrations from legal organizations, and tours of the courthouse and law library. The People’s Law School hosted free law classes on wills and estates law and family law.

Interviews on “Access to Justice: Breaking Down Barriers" with the Honourable Chief Judge Stansfield of the Provincial Court of British Columbia were published in the Nanaimo Daily News.

The Honourable Judge Saunders of the Provincial Court of British Columbia presided over a mock trial of the “Three Little Pigs,” which was presented by a group of Nanaimo lawyers. Students served as jurors. The "Three Little Pigs" were acquitted of all charges.

A number of information kiosks from various legal organizations were present at the open house. These kiosks included the Nanaimo Court Registry with information on filing a civil claims and small claims action, the RCMP, the Nanaimo Correctional Center, the Federal Crown, the Provincial Crown, the Nanaimo Family Justice Hub, the Nanaimo Crisis Line, the Canadian Bar Association and the Nanaimo Haven Society.

The RCMP presented seminars on Parent’s Awareness and Restorative Justice. A canine unit, a motorcycle and vehicles were also on display and sheriffs provided tours of cells in the Nanaimo courthouse.

On Saturday, April 19, 2008, the BC Branch of the Canadian Bar Association held its province-wide “Dial-A-Lawyer” as part of Law Week. Nanaimo area residents were invited to call between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm to speak with a lawyer for up to 15 minutes at no cost.