$27 MILLION LISTERIOSIS SETTLEMENT APPROVED BY COURTSCourts in Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Quebec have approved a Canada-wide settlement of up to $27 million for people who believe they were affected by listeriosis as a result of recalled meat products produced by Maple Leaf Foods.
All claims must be filed by Nov. 2, and covers purchased or consumed recalled meat products produced by Maple Leaf Foods, during the period Jan. 1, 2008 to Aug. 31, 2008.
More information about the Maple Leaf Foods listeriosis case can be found in the April edition of Canadian Lawyer InHouse cover story “
High stakes litigation.”
LCO DEBATES ITS ROLEThe Law Commission of Ontario hopes to shine some light on what it calls the “perennial issue” of how law reform commissions can remain independent, while at the same time benefitting governments.
“The relationship between any independent law reform body and the government is a complicated one,” said LCO executive director Patricia Hughes, in a release. “It requires sensitivity and a realistic understanding of how law reform commissions and governments should relate to each other.”
The commission will draw on the expertise of New South Wales Law Reform Commission long-time member Michael Tilbury. He will headline a public lecture, titled “‘
Win-Win’ or ‘Who Will Rid Me of this Turbulent Priest?’
The Relationship Between Law Reform Commissions and Governments.” The lecture will be held at 5:30 p.m. on May 12 at Osgoode Hall’s Convocation Hall.
The LCO notes that Tilbury has significant experience pondering these issues in balancing the delicate relationship between the government and independent law reform agencies in Australia.
The lecture will be followed by a May 13 symposium, also free of charge, where participants are expected to discuss what is involved in law reform, how it should be carried out, and challenges to the initiative. It will be held at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. Registration information is available on the LCO’s web site, at
www.lco-cdo.org.
“The Law Commission of Ontario is committed to engaging with the community about the nature of law reform,” said Hughes. “We can’t do law reform in isolation and this symposium is intended to foster dialogue around crucial issues in law reform with those who should benefit from it.”
U OF T LAW PUSHES LLMThe University of Toronto Faculty of Law says it is responding to the current economic situation by extending the application deadline for its “prestigious” master of laws program.
The faculty sent out a press release last week, indicating that the deadline will be pushed back to July 31.
“There is a lot of renewed interest in our LLM programs right now, perhaps inspired by the economic situation,” said Ddean Mayo Moran.
“Attaining a higher level of legal education is always a great addition to one’s career and marketability. We are happy to be able to help lawyers find ways to enhance their skills during these uncertain times.”
More information about the program is available by e-mailing
[email protected].
LSUC OFFERS FAMILY SUMMITFamily law lawyers will get an in-depth review from senior practitioners and academics at the Law Society of Upper Canada’s 3rd Annual Family Law Summit, including the latest developments, practice issues, case law, and legislative changes that matter.
The continuing legal education event will be held June 11 and June 12 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the University of Toronto Residence at 89 Chestnut Street, in Toronto.
Highlights include a day- one keynote address from Attorney General Chris Bentley, who will speak on the issue of “
Future Directions in Family Law.” Day two will include an address from Ontario Court of Justice family law Justice Harvey Brownstone on the topic “
Lessons for the Family Law Bar.”
Brownstone is the author of the recently released bestseller “Tug of War,” which aims to help the public better navigate the family court system.
Registration is available online at
http://ecom.lsuc.on.ca/cle.
NEW VP FOR LAWPRODuncan Gosnell, a 14-year member of the LawPROro executive team, has been appointed executive vice president and secretary for the board of directors.
“This appointment recognizes Mr. Gosnell’s many contributions to the success of LawPROro during his extensive career with the company,” said LawPROro board chairman Ian Croft, in a release. “It also reflects the need for this type of position in today’s complex business environment.”
Gosnell joined LawPROro in 1995 as vice president, underwriting, and was responsible for design and implementation of the company’s professional liability insurance program. He took on an added role in the area of customer service in 2000, and has been secretary for the board since January 2001.
LawPROro is owned by the Law Society of Upper Canada and provides professional liability insurance and title insurance throughout Canada.
