The article examines two interrelated issues attracting attention from the legal academy, the profession, and policy makers: i) the crisis of access to justice among ordinary Canadians, and ii) the increasing number of qualified and underemployed lawyers. This article sets out to understand the interrelated factors underlying these two trends, and explores long-term, accessible solutions to address the misalignment between the supply of underemployed law graduates and a demand for affordable legal services. In response to these twin problems, we examine how legislative reform,…
Profile of a regulator: Victoria Rees
Victoria Rees – Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society Role: Director of Professional Responsibility Background: Employed in various management positions with the NSBS for 29 years Tell us a little bit about yourself… Mother of three wonderful young men; 3rd degree brown belt in karate; love to travel; voracious reader; lover of all sports, especially American football (go…
Risk Regulation for the Legal Profession
Winds of change are blowing over the legal profession. Yet, compared to other professions and industries, legal services regulation remains very much a laggard. For the most part, legal services regulation remains rigid, reactive and complaint-based. These are not characteristics that are considered regulatory best practices. Recognizing this, a number of law societies are contemplating…
Alberta admissions
These materials were presented at the 2016 International Conference of Legal Regulators. Session title: Admission to the practice of law Becoming a lawyer in Alberta, Canada
Canada admissions
These materials were presented at the 2016 International Conference of Legal Regulators. Session title: Admission to the practice of law Canada NCA (National Committee on Admissions) FAQ Canada NCA process Canada NCA standards
Canada discipline process
These materials were presented at the 2016 International Conference of Legal Regulators. Session title: Attorney Discipline System Intake and Investigation Procedures From Around the Globe: Comparative Analysis and Best Practices Canada national discipline standards Canada national implementation guide
Manitoba discipline process
These materials were presented at the 2016 International Conference of Legal Regulators. Session title: Attorney Discipline System Intake and Investigation Procedures From Around the Globe: Comparative Analysis and Best Practices Manitoba discipline overview Manitoba orientation manual Manitoba suspension restriction guideline
Canada reinstatement survey
These materials were presented at the 2016 International Conference of Legal Regulators. Session title: I always feel like somebody’s watching me: reinstatement and supervision of lawyers on probation The paper is a survey of the Canadian jurisdictions. Canada reinstatement survey
Regulatory objectives infographic
This infographic describes the regulatory objectives in Nova Scotia, Canada. Nova Scotia Regulatory Objectives
Trends in global and Canadian lawyer regulation
This article examines Canadian lawyer regulation in light of the global trends challenging regulators worldwide. It explains why it is important for Canadian lawyers, regulators, clients, and other stakeholders to be aware of these global trends. The article also addresses the issue of whether these trends matter in a jurisdiction such as Saskatchewan that is not a…