Back in January, I announced the formation of a working group under the auspices of the Canadian Centre for Court Technology (CCCT). The objective of this working group was to draft guidelines facilitating the modernization of Canadian court web sites. Since that time, we have made progress and expect to have finished a first draft of the Court Web Site guidelines before the upcoming Canadian Forum on Court Technology.

One of the five parts of the guidelines is titled “Principles – Cutting Through Context and Issues: What Principles Should Guide the Design of Court Web Sites?”

In . . . [more]

That’s right: not the virtuous life — though it may be that — but the virtual one. Those of you who are considering opening a virtual law office might like to go that extra furlong and emulate Kelly Sutton, who has sold pretty much everything he owned and now lives a life enhanced by not much more than a bike and a computer.

The BBC has just picked up on the Sutton saga, that began over a year ago, when, stimulated by a book on escaping the 9-5 work drag, he set himself the project of selling off his possessions, . . . [more]

In June, Hicks Morley launched its first external blog, “Human Resources Legislative Update”. The blog replaces a monthly newsletter on legislative changes in human resources law that was sent to clients by email and posted on our website. The downside of the newsletter format was that by the time it was published, it was often already out of date due to the frequency of legislative changes and updates. We needed a time-sensitive solution that was accessible 24/7 to our legislative writers, provided a quick and easy publishing solution and gave readers the ability to ask questions or leave . . . [more]

Canadian Association of University Teachers and Canadian Federation of Students object to new Access Copyright Tariff.

5 sources for stock video footage. Have you ever used one of these?

Your first high tech trial need not be an ordeal. With a little will power, ingenuity and preparation you can successfully launch your litigation into the late 20^th century.

Start with a little mental preparation. Tell yourself (repeatedly if it helps) the one universal truth about courtroom technology: IT IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE. If your confidence needs a further boost reflect on how well you mastered other first encounters with technology: riding a bike, driving a car, resetting the clock on your VCR. If you succeeded in at least one of these struggles you are ready for courtroom technology.  . . . [more]

I’m sending greetings from the CBA Conference in Niagara.

Here is a statement from Hon. Chris Bentley, Attorney-General of Ontario:

Statement from Hon. Rob Nicholson, Attorney-General of Canada:

The Hon. Rob Nicholson represents the riding of Niagara Falls where the conference was held.. . . . [more]

Scotland proposes to join England and Wales in abolishing the rule against double jeopardy in some criminal matters. According to the story on the BBC site, the move appears to have been prompted by the acquittal, three years earlier, of a person suspected of being guilty of some terrible murders.

The Scottish Law Commission released a report on double jeopardy [PDF] at the end of last year, recommending that the law be changed to permit an acquittal to be set aside where the trial was “tainted.” The Commission was unable to reach a conclusion as to whether an acquittal might . . . [more]

Morrison v. Hooper, 2010 ONSC 4394

M was 84 when she was struck by a vehicle while crossing a road. One liability issue was whether she was in a crosswalk crossing with the lights. She was on her way home from the bank.

She was healthy enough (physically and mentally) before the accident to be living independently, comfortably. Nonetheless, the defence counterclaimed against M’s children for contribution, alleging that M was mentally incompetent, that the children had a duty to supervise her, that they breached this duty, and that that breach was a cause of the incident.

The children moved . . . [more]

As everyone will know by now, Conrad Black’s six libel actions in respect of statements posted on the Hollinger International, Inc. website will be allowed to proceed in Ontario. The defendants lost their challenge to the court’s jurisdiction in the Ontario Court of Appeal judgment released yesterday — Friday the 13th, as it happens. The court explored the proper manner to determine whether “a real and substantial connection” exists between the jurisdiction and the defendant and the plaintiff’s claims; they also looked at whether the motions judge exercised discretion properly on the issue of forum non conveniens.

This entry . . . [more]

Remember the 60s?

Well, I do, and not just in flashbacks, either. It was all about — well, it was about a lot of things, most of which never did get finished. But that’s okay because some of those things are of an eternal nature: peace, love, and music come to mind. And these are brought to my mind again by the work of an outfit that I stumbled across quite a while ago now and at that time hurried past, the way one does on the internet. But as also happens on the internet, what goes around comes around . . . [more]

Standards of good behavior vary by culture. What is worthy of reprimand in one doesn’t raise an eyebrow in another. In an attempt to forestall misunderstandings, VisitBritain, a marketing group working with the UK government, has released some tips to help the citizenry play nicely with others. Personally, I appreciate that Canadians are included in the list of nations with idiosyncrasies worthy of particular mention.

I know that Brits, like Canadians, will be subject to the frivolous complaints of jealous rivals when they host the 2012 Olympics. With these tips in hand, I’m sure they’ll do a great . . . [more]