Tuesday, July 4, 2017

JUDICIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEES ANNOUNCED
Federal Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould has announced judicial advisory committees for Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nunavut and Saskatchewan.

She also named the JAC for Ontario — West and South. For the Ontario — West and South committee, this includes Chief Justice Lynne Leitch and lawyer Kuljit Bhamra of London, lawyer Beverley Jacobs of Ohsweken, lawyer Allen Wynperle of Hamilton, Lynn Macaulay of Waterloo, Jessica Sartori of Windsor and Betty-Lou Souter of St. Catharines.

“The quality and diversity on the Judicial Advisory Committees are unprecedented and better reflect the make-up of this great country,” said Wilson-Raybould in a news release.

“I hope that exceptional candidates from diverse backgrounds will feel encouraged and inspired to put their names forward for judicial appointment. Judges with varied life experiences have an important contribution to make to our justice system.”
 
LEGAL LEADERS FOR DIVERSITY ANNUAL REPORT
Legal Leaders for Diversity released its sixth annual report at a June 27 event in Toronto. The report covers a variety of initiatives on which LLD is working, including a partnership with non-profit Canadian Business SenseAbility to create an online site for recruiters to connect with potential employees with disabilities.   

“Though there is still work to be done, we believe that LLD has been and will continue to be a positive and influential voice in creating a more inclusive legal profession in Canada,” said the report.

SCC CHIEF JUSTICE WINS MEDAL
Supreme Court of Canada Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin has been chosen by the Criminal Lawyers’ Association as the winner of this year’s G. Arthur Martin Criminal Justice Medal for lifetime achievement in criminal law.  

“Chief Justice McLachlin has been at the forefront of the development of Canadian criminal law for over three decades. Throughout it all, the hallmarks of her approach have been balanace, compassion and a commitment to individual rights,” according to the CLA.

The medal will be presented at the CLA’s annual convention in October.
 
LAW TIMES POLL
Recently, Law Times reported that lawyers were decrying a proposed change to the federal Income Tax Act that could affect lawyers’ cash flow. Readers were asked if their firm was currently planning to  redo its accounting methods following the proposal to remove billed-basis accounting.

About 33 per cent said yes, change was in the works, though it was expected to be burdensome for the firm.

Another 67 per cent said no, there have been no plans for shifting accounting practices yet.

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