Category Archives: News Items

Canadian Judicial Council: update on Associate Chief Justice Lori Douglas

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Ottawa, 5 January 2011 – The Canadian Judicial Council gave an update today about two complaints made against Associate Chief Justice Lori Douglas of the Court of Queen’s Bench of Manitoba.

In accordance with the Complaints Procedures of the Council, a complaint made by Mr Alex Chapman was considered by the Vice-chairperson of the Judicial Conduct Committee of Council, the Honourable Neil Wittmann, Chief Justice of the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta. The complaint alleges sexual harassment and discrimination on the part of the judge.  These are allegations only: no conclusions have been drawn so far about them.

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News: Legal Ethics Training Compulsory for Law Students (Eng and Wales)

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From the website:

Legal ethics training must be compulsory for law students

The Law Society, in light of the review of legal services education and training  announced by the legal regulators (the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and the Institute of Legal Executives Professional Standards (IPS) have launched the review ), called  for a greater focus on ethics in the Qualifying Law Degree and for the development of more robust systems for assuring quality in the provision of legal education and training.  

For the full release, click here.

News: Investors Put Money on Lawsuits to Get Payouts

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From the New York Times

By BINYAMIN APPELBAUM

Published: November 14, 2010

Large banks, hedge funds and private investors hungry for new and lucrative opportunities are bankrolling other people’s lawsuits, pumping hundreds of millions of dollars into medical malpractice claims, divorce battles and class actions against corporations — all in the hope of sharing in the potential winnings. 

For more, click here.

For commentary on Legal Ethics Forum, click here.

SCC to hear case re ethics and religion case (Quebec)

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Supreme Court to hear case over Quebec’s controversial ethics and religion class

Ottawa, The Canadian Press, Published Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010 3:59PM EDT, Last updated Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010 4:05PM EDT

Canada’s highest court has decided it will hear from Quebec parents who want the right to keep their children out of the classroom during a mandatory course on ethics and religion.

The Supreme Court of Canada said Thursday it will hear arguments on a contentious issue — whether students are eligible for exemption from compulsory studies based on freedom of religion. For more, click here.

Lobbying blitz helps kill mining ethics bill

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BILL CURRY Ottawa— From Thursday’s Globe and Mail,  Published Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2010 7:22PM EDT,  Last updated Thursday, Oct. 28, 2010 1:58PM ED

The House of Commons has defeated Liberal legislation aimed at encouraging Canadian mining firms to act ethically abroad after a fierce lobbying battle that pitted the industry against its international and domestic critics.

Human rights and environmental advocates had argued that the bill would help prevent corporate abuses abroad and recounted accusations of rape, corruption and violence against the industry during parliamentary hearings. For more, click here.