Monday, February 15, 2016

LAO TO HONOUR BOB RICHARDSON
Legal Aid Ontario will be honouring the newest Sidney B. Lindon award winner later this month.

On Feb. 25 at the Law Society of Upper Canada offices, LAO chair John McCamus will present the distinguished accolade to certified criminal law specialist Bob Richardson, recognizing his commitment to helping low-income people in the pursuit of access to justice.

The event will run in Convocation Hall from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

“I am deeply honoured to receive this award from an organization that advocates so strongly on behalf of those who might otherwise be denied access to justice,” said Richardson in a LAO press release announcing the award.

“I have always believed that people who cannot afford a lawyer deserve proper representation in our courts regardless of their station in life, and this reward recognizes the importance of this belief.”

Richardson, who was called to the bar in 1981 and has worked as a criminal lawyer since 1984, has served as a board member and director for the Criminal Lawyers Association and received their Distinguished Service award in 2004.

He us an instructor with the LSUC’s bar admission course for criminal procedure and has been a member of the Ontario Review Board since 2014.

“We are very pleased to honour Bob’s decades of invaluable work, his dedication and skill as a criminal lawyer, and his deep commitment to public service,” said McCamus. “Bob has demonstrated, time and time again, that an ability to relate to people from all walks of life, combined with knowledge, preparation, generosity of spirit and quiet persistence, make for a formidable advocate. He is truly a role model for anyone working to improve access to justice for marginalized people.”

OFFICIAL CALL FOR CBA STANDING COMMITTEES
The Canadian Bar Association has officially launched its call for candidates to fill its national standing committees for 2016-17. All CBA members are eligible to apply for the following committees: access to justice; awards; communications; equality; ethics and professional responsibility; international initiatives; judicial compensation and benefits; legal aid liaison; legislation and law reform; pro bono; professional development; resolutions, constitution and bylaws, and; Supreme Court of Canada liaison. The deadline for applications is April 15.

LAWRENCE HILL SPEAKS AT LSUC
Newmarket’s famed and multi-award winning author Lawrence Hill graced the Law Society of Upper Canada offices as the LSUC hosted a Black History Month celebration in conjunction with the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers Feb. 9. Lawyer Audrea Golding moderated a Q & A session with Hill, who also played the role of guest speaker for the event. Hill read excerpts from his newest fiction book, The Illegal. The book chronicles the struggles of a talented marathon runner and undocumented refugee.

LAW TIMES POLL
A little added discretion goes along way in improving public confidence in the eyes of our readers. Last week, we asked our readers if they agree with the new policy changes that Superior Court of Justice judges will have to apply to a Law Society of Upper Canada tribunal to appear as counsel in court. Just more than 71 per cent of the respondents said they agree with the new policy, because the rules enhance fairness and impartiality as well as public confidence in the court system. However, about 29 per cent disagreed with the new policy, indicating the move is unnecessary and will create needless barriers for former judges who wish to appear before the court as counsel.