BarTalk | August 1997

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Newsletter of the Canadian Bar Association (BC Branch) August 1997 Vol. 9 • No.4

INSIDE President's Message ...... 2 Section Talk .................... 3 Jo hn Cherrington: Lawyer and Author ...................... 6 An Attorney General for many cultures ................. 7 Marxist roots of Chinese law are withering ......... 12 A tribute to Gordon Bisaro ............................. 13 The CBA: What's in it for you? ................................. 14 Registry Questions & Answers ......................... 16 PracticeTalk ................... 19 New federal child support guidelines-are they adequate? ....................... 22 New CBA Executive ... 24 New initiative by Notaries ......................... 26 Letters to the Editor ... 28 Legislative Update ........ 31

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Legal Aid coalition organized to oppose government cutbacks CBA to provide administrative and meeting room support for front-line groups ccess to Legal Aid services has election. At that time, the board-w hich was significantly eroded in British concerned about the continuing deficit of the Columbia, due to many years of society-voted not to accept any new legal aid insufficient funding. However, the cases. "We needed some legislation that would severe funding limitations imposed allow us to take action if something similar to by the provincial government this year have this happened again," Dosanjh said. "The trustee made the situation even more critical. The BC Branch of the Canadian Bar amendment would only be used in exceptional Association believes that reduced Legal Aid situations and would ensure continuity of access services throughout the province, and stricter to justice for legal aid clients in the event the society discontinued services eligibility requirements, have again." now put at risk the principle The AG responds As well, Dosanjh said the of "Justice for All." Because of See Letters to the Editor legislation had also been made this, the CBA is joining with Page 28 necessary by a recent auditor others to urge the government general's management review of the Legal to change its Legal Aid funding policies. In addition to concerns about the fiscal crisis Services Society. "The amendments are needed to make the in Legal Aid, many members of the Bar are also concerned about legislation introduced recently society more consistent with other governmentin the legislature that would allow the funded agencies," he said. Despite the Attorney General's jusitifications government to appoint a Trustee to take over the administration of the Legal Services Society for the legislation, there is concern in the Bar that board, at the government's discretion. The the legisiation threatens the independence of the legislation, included in Bill 51, the Miscellaneous Legal Services Society Board because it Statutes Amendment Act (No. 3), 1997, states: empowers the government to intervene at will in "The Lieutenant Governor in Council may the operations of the society if it is unhappy with appoint an official trustee to manage the property actions taken by the board. The people suffering most from the lack of and conduct the affairs of the society if, in the opinion of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, Legal Aid funding are those it was established to the appointment is in the public interest and is help: men and women who do not have the required to ensure continued and effective financial re so urces to purchase legal delivery of legal aid." representation. In recognition of the need to Attorney General Ujjal Dosanjh has stated provide a strong voice for those who need access that the legislation was introduced partly in to Legal Aid, a broad coalition of human services response to a decision in the spring of last year by the LSS board, shortly before the provincial Continued on page 18


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