Access to Justice
-
April 17, 2024
Digital solutions through an Indigenous lens | Lawrence Lewis
In a world where digital transformation shapes every aspect of our lives, the narrative of technological advancement often overlooks the diverse needs and voices of Indigenous communities. But creating digital solutions through an Indigenous lens — combining traditional values through innovative pathways — gives rise to progressive structures that honour cultural significance.
-
April 16, 2024
Legal aid funding, auto theft crack down and redistribution of judgeships feature in federal budget
Funding for legal aid to reduce court delays; redistributing “unused” Alberta unified family court posts to other superior courts; and creating new offences and harsher penalties for auto theft are among dozens of justice-related measures proposed in the latest federal budget, which the minority Liberal government says aims to enhance the affordability of shelter, groceries, internet and other necessities for Canadians.
-
April 16, 2024
Prison: A day in the life | David Dorson
Let me take you through a day in my life as a prisoner in a medium security assessment unit in a prison in Canada. I spent about three months in this setting. Others’ prison experiences will differ in detail but not in essence, except that it is significantly worse for the 20 per cent of federal prisoners and almost all provincial prisoners who are in maximum security settings. And quite a bit easier for the 20 per cent in minimum security.
-
April 15, 2024
Unleashing legal instincts: Secret power controlling courtroom victories | Maria Mahmoudian
In the world of law, where every move can make or break a case, it might seem odd to rely on something as fuzzy as instinct. But believe it or not, that gut feeling plays a big role in how lawyers do their jobs.
-
April 11, 2024
B.C. introduces legislation on legal profession reform; law society, bar association opposed
The B.C. government has unveiled long-promised legislation to bring lawyers, paralegals and notaries under the umbrella of one regulator. But the provincial law society and bar association have both come out swinging against the proposals, saying they would erode the independence of the legal profession.
-
April 11, 2024
Eclipse of tradition: AI’s ascendancy in the legal era | Maria Mahmoudian
In recent years, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the field of law has revolutionized legal practice, reshaping how legal professionals approach research, document analysis and decision-making. From enhancing efficiency to improving accuracy, AI technologies have brought about significant changes that have both benefited and challenged legal practitioners worldwide.
-
April 10, 2024
Saskatchewan expanding law student placements in name of access to justice
In efforts to increase access to justice in rural, underserved areas, Saskatchewan is expanding “practical learning placements” for College of Law students willing to travel. According to an April 1 news release, the province’s government is investing $100,000 in “new practical learning opportunities” for students at the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Law — provided they are willing to “work in different communities for the term of their placements.”
-
April 10, 2024
Section 33:The national pacifier | Tega Adjara
Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, commonly known as the notwithstanding clause, has long been a contentious provision within Canada’s constitutional framework. This paper contends that the time has come to abolish s. 33 from the Charter, especially in light of the rising tide of global populism. As populist movements gain momentum worldwide, the need to protect democratic values and individual rights becomes increasingly urgent.
-
April 10, 2024
Using AI to bring value to organizations | Connie L. Braun and Juliana Saxberg
For every risk inherent in AI adoption, there is a counter-argument that AI has the potential to unlock benefits and solve real-world problems that have heretofore eluded human capability. Machine Learning technologies are already recognized to be advancing medical research and patient care, improving decision-making, mitigating climate change and distributing food aid more effectively, among other benefits.
-
April 09, 2024
Yukon gets feedback on sex assault response team
Sex assault victims and other “stakeholders” in Yukon are calling on the territory’s government to boost the promotion of victim resources, increase the number of safe houses and develop a “clear policy” for the use of evidence collection kits. These are just a few recommendations made to the Yukon government after it had requested feedback on plans to expand its Sexualized Assault Response Team (SART) to rural communities within the territory.