Ongoing barriers to access to justice remain a persistent problem throughout our legal system, particularly for those living on low incomes. In law, as across all areas of society, there is much interest in the potential to harness technological innovations to help address those barriers. Legal regulators in Canada and abroad are taking a variety of approaches aimed at unlocking the potential of technology-based legal services, while also continuing to protect the public from harm. Efforts in Canadian provinces, however, do not seem to be generating initiatives that will benefit people most in need of more accessible justice. We think . . . [more]

The Crisis of Court and Tribunal Delays and the Loss of Faith in the Justice System

Timely delivery of justice is not just a legal ideal; it’s a societal necessity. In Canada, however, this ideal is increasingly out of reach due to mounting court and tribunal backlogs.[1] The Canadian justice system has long grappled with delays, but recent figures underscore a crisis of unprecedented proportions. Following the COVID-10 pandemic, courts and tribunals across the country have had to postpone a vast number of cases. As an example, data from the post-pandemic Tribunals Ontario 2021-22 Annual Report revealed that the . . . [more]

We complete surveys on a daily basis. You get assistance from Microsoft Support and they immediately ask you to complete an online survey. William Dalrymple and Anita Anand, the hosts of one of my favorite history podcasts, Empire, are currently asking their listeners to complete a survey to provide feedback on the show. You buy a product and get an email asking for a review, which is essentially a survey on the product. But it’s a crazy idea in law, am I right?

For those in private practice, sending a survey to your client about how much they liked . . . [more]

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has suddenly emerged as a disruptive force across numerous sectors, including the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). The integration of AI into the mediation process holds the promise of enhanced efficiency, reduced costs, and improved access to justice. However, at this stage, it is virtually impossible to fully grasp the potential impact on mediation, both in its immediate and long-term effects.

AI has been around since the 1950s and we are all familiar with it in one form or another. But GPT type AI is a different technology compared to earlier AI. It will change our . . . [more]

In 2019, The Strand bookstore in New York and the building it inhabits were granted heritage status by the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission, and they threatened to sue the city in response (the story was widely reported, here is a story from the Guardian). The owner’s concern was that the administrative requirements associated with the designation would be onerous and that the bookstore might not be viable with them. They said this is especially relevant given the competition from online retailers like Amazon.

The Strand is still in business, but the reason this matters here is recognizing that legal . . . [more]

Across Canada, our justice system is under attack. In British Columbia, the New Democratic Party is erasing the law society, eliminating with it the independence of lawyers. In Alberta, the United Conservative Party sought to cease funding to legal aid – which funds individuals and families who stand at and below the poverty line and cannot afford justice otherwise – and continues to negotiate further oversight and restrictions to limit its reach. In Manitoba, the New Democratic Party removed a politician from caucus when it was discovered he had a connection to a lawyer who represented an accused, despite breaking . . . [more]

In professional services organizations, launching a new practice group can be a game-changer for firms looking to expand their offerings, enter new markets, or capitalize on emerging trends. Whether you are in law, accounting, recruitment, planning, engineering, or any other sector, the process of establishing a successful practice group requires careful planning, strategic execution, and a deep understanding of client needs. Although the idea for a new practice may come quickly, launching that new area requires careful consideration, including the eleven tips below.

1. Research

Before you begin telling everyone about your new practice, it is critical to research what . . . [more]

Why are some restaurants great, while others are so lousy? The great ones don’t usually have better ingredients in the kitchen, or better written policies, or even more talented people.

Usually, they have better culture. The folks leading and working in great restaurants have developed expectations, attitudes, and social practices that produce terrific results, night after night.

What if the same is true of justice systems? Maybe culture is the reason why some courts, tribunals, and segments of the bar consistently produce substantively just outcomes after processes that are quick, affordable, and procedurally fair. And maybe culture is the . . . [more]

In R v. Pike^[1] the Ontario Court of Appeal considered the expansive search power of Customs and Border officers under s. 99(1)(a) of the Customs Act.^[2]

The Ontario Court of Appeal set the stage for the conflict between the respectful approach to border security and individual privacy rights as follows:

Millions of Canadians travel internationally each year with their personal computers, tablets, and smartphones. The contents of these devices attract some of the strongest privacy interests known to law because they are a window into their users’ lifestyles, beliefs, interests, desires, relationships, finances, health, and much more. But

For a few years now, I have participated in academic and professional projects, publications, events and conversations about territories located in Canada, the United States and across the world. These efforts have allowed me to build relationships with people working on the state of legal and government information in these territories, at the access and preservation levels. As a Foreign, Comparative and International Law Librarian as well as Professor of Legal Research, I know firsthand that without widespread access to these foundational materials as well as proper preservation plans, we risk losing relevant materials and data useful for all researchers . . . [more]

While there may be growing consensus about the fact that self-represented litigants (SRLs) are often unsure of court procedures and processes, a recent decision from the Yukon Court of Appeal highlights the significant implications for SRLs who are struggling, and the responsibility on other justice system players to make the process as transparent as possible. In LK v DD, the respondent in a family law application was successful at the Yukon Court of Appeal in overturning family law orders made at a summary trial of the parties’ applications and cross-applications. The Court of Appeal determined that the respondent had . . . [more]

The decision of the Law Society of Alberta in Law Society of Alberta v Shandro (2024 ABLS 14) has received media attention, but primarily for the result. In the process of dismissing three citations against politician Tyler Shandro, the Hearing Committee panel makes some important points about politicians who happen to be lawyers – points that are worthy of more attention independent of the result in the specific matter.

It seems intuitive that law society regulation, including complaints and discipline, could be ‘weaponized’ or otherwise abused as a tool against lawyer-politicians.[1] At the same time, it does . . . [more]