Video tribute to 2020 Law Society Award recipient Leonard Doust, QC
Earlier this fall, we announced that Leonard Doust, QC received the 2020 Law Society Award, which is ordinarily presented at the annual the Bench & Bar Dinner that has had to be postponed due to the pandemic. To honour Leonard now, and celebrate his career and achievements, the Law Society produced a special video presentation in which some of the people who nominated him pay tribute to his extraordinary contributions to the legal profession and the administration of justice for more than 50 years.
Update regarding Provincial Court Family Rules
Effective December 7, 2020, Surrey and Victoria will be designated Early Resolution and Case Management Model registries. These registries will adopt the early resolution provisions of the new Provincial Court Family Rules in addressing parenting arrangements, child support, contact with a child, guardianship of a child, spousal support, relocation and protection from family violence. Updated versions of the forms, in fillable PDFs, will be available on the BC Government website on December 7. For more information, see BC Reg. 525/2020, this recorded presentation with a brief overview of the process, a one page process overview diagram and explanations of the new provisions on the BC government website: Surrey and Victoria Early Resolution Explained.
Rule of Law Matters podcast featuring the Hon. Irwin Cotler on rise of authoritarianism
A new episode of our Rule of Law Matters podcast is now available. In this episode, renowned international human rights lawyer, professor and former Attorney General of Canada, the Honourable Irwin Cotler warns against the rise of authoritarianism in countries around the world. He points to signs of threats to the rule of law, including the erosion of a free press, criminalization of basic rights like free speech, and the imprisonment of lawyers. Against this backdrop, he also notes that democratic nations are becoming increasingly divided and polarized, and failing to take a stand against authoritarian regimes. He also walks us through his early influences and how those experiences shaped his values and ultimately, his career and his human rights work. To listen to the Rule of Law Matters podcast, visit the Law Society’s website, or find the episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
ICYMI: Lawyers Indemnity Fund video on fraudsters continuing to target BC lawyers
Are you about to pay out trust funds and your client’s payment instructions have changed? Stop. Ensure that the change is legitimate by calling your client at the number in your file. You must speak directly or make in-person contact with your client. Watch this video of LIF Director of Claims, Michael Soltynski, to find out how two BC law firms fell victim to sophisticated social engineering frauds involving millions of dollars. Learn how to prevent this from happening to you and protect yourself from loss. Insurance is available on the commercial market to respond to social engineering frauds so talk to your broker as limited protection is provided to you through Part C of the policy.
