News Archives
2013
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May 22, 2013
Saskatoon Library Closure Date Revision: Please
note that the Saskatoon Law Society Library will now be closing
Tuesday, August 6, 2013 to May, 2014. Members will
be able to access the library until this date and will not be able
to access the College of Law Library as an external borrower until
after this date.
May 13, 2013
The Law Reform Commission of Saskatchewan has released the
following two final reports, which are presented as proposals to
the Minister of Justice:
Access to Justice - Needy Person Certificates and Waiver of Fees:
Final Report - Under The Queen's Bench Rules, a potential
litigant may, in some circumstances, obtain a waiver of court fees
by obtaining a Needy Person Certificate. Needy Person Certificates
are useful, but challenges exist respecting their scope and
availability under the QB Rules. A further challenge is that
Certificates are only available to litigants in the Court of
Queen's Bench and Court of Appeal. This Final Report sets out the
Commission's proposals on improving access to justice for the less
advantaged members of our community through fee waivers.
Civil Rights in Saskatchewan Long-term Care Facilities: Final
Report - The focus of this paper is on violations of the
rights of long-term care residents, particularly when they do not
involve physical abuse, and particularly when they may not be
effectively addressed by existing protocols designed to deal with
more blatant forms of abuse. Many are unfamiliar with rights in
long-term care, including how to assert these rights and seek
remedy for their breach. This Final Report sets out the
Commission's proposals to improve civil rights in long-term care
facilities.
May 9, 2013
The Law Society of Saskatchewan Discipline Hearing Committee
issued a notice of hearing in the discipline matter of Dale Norman
Blenner-Hassett.
May 6, 2013
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
The Law Society of Saskatchewan occasionally requires a Court
appointed Trustee to wind-down or manage a practice when a lawyer
is suspended, dies, becomes incapacitated or abandons the
practice. The duty of the Trustee is to provide interim
protection for the clients and to eventually distribute the files
according to the client's instructions. Further information
on the duties of the Trustee are outlined in the Trusteeship
Manual.
The Law Society is accepting applications from lawyers to serve
as Trustee for an annual flat yearly fee of $40,000 for a two year
period commencing July 1st, 2013 through June 30,
2015.
The number of Trusteeship Orders varies each year. Over
the past eleven years it has been as follows:
2002 - 0
2003 - 2
2004 - 1
2005 - 1
2006 - 0
2007 - 2 |
2008 - 0
2009 - 2
2010 - 0
2011 - 3
2012 - 1 |
As such, there is an element of risk (or an opportunity) because
the number of trusteeships in a year is unpredictable, as are the
size and nature of the practices subject to trusteeship.
Interested lawyers/law firms are invited to submit a written
proposal to the attention of Thomas J. Schonhoffer, Q.C., by
May 27, 2013.
May 2, 2013
The Law Society of Saskatchewan is inviting applications for
appointment to the Queen's Counsel Selection Committee.
The designation of Queen's Counsel is made by the Minister of
Justice through a selection process that includes consultation with
the Law Society of Saskatchewan, the Canadian Bar Association and
the Courts.
Applications to the Law Society are reviewed by the Queen's
Counsel selection Committee which consists of the following:
- Past President of the Law Society
- A current Bencher of the Law Society
- A public representative appointed to the Law Society
- A member of the Law Society
Anyone interested in participating on this committee should
forward an expression of interest to Thomas Schonhoffer, Q.C. by
May 23, 2013. Please submit your information to his assistant
Liz at llynchuk@lawsociety.sk.ca.
April 18, 2013
The Hearing Committee of the Admissions and Education Committee
for the Law Society of Saskatchewan has released a decision in the
matter re Darby Jane
Bachynski.
The Hearing Committee of the Admissions and Education Committee
for the Law Society of Saskatchewan has released a decision in the
matter re Joanie
Stephanie Paquin.
April 16, 2013
A revised version of the
Provincial Court Criminal Practice Directive V - Application
for Court-Appointed Counsel is now available. This
supercedes the previous version posted on April 2, 2013.
April 10, 2013
Law Society Members are invited to attend the Swearing-in
Ceremony of Judge Kevin Lang, at 3 p.m. on Friday, April 12, 2013,
at the Regina Provincial Court House.
April 5, 2013
Law Day is a national event celebrating the signing of Canada's
Charter of Rights and Freedoms - Law Day 2013 marks the
31st anniversary. The purpose of Law Day is to promote amongst
Canadians an increased awareness of their legal rights and
obligations. As part of its Law Day celebrations, CBA Saskatchewan
is pleased to host Dr. Samantha Nutt,
founder and Executive Director of War Child, as the key note
speaker in Saskatoon and Regina on April 22 and 23. Her
presentation at both luncheons is entitled "Why the World Needs
More Lawyers". Ticket order forms are available on
CBA Saskatchewan website.
April 2, 2013
Provincial Court Criminal Practice Directive V - Application
for Court-Appointed Counsel has been amended.
The Law Society of Saskatchewan Discipline Hearing Committee
issued a notice of hearing in the discipline matter of David Wayne Clements.
March 27, 2013
The Law Reform Commission of Saskatchewan has released
Reform of The Land Contracts (Actions) Act: Consultation
Paper. This consultation paper considers The Land
Contracts (Actions) Act in Saskatchewan, and mortgage remedies
across Canada, and offers possible approaches to reform the Act.
Consultation is open until October 31, 2013. You are encouraged to
share this paper with anyone you think may be interested, and to
review and respond to the consultation questions. Please note that
if two or more lawyers meet to discuss the Consultation Paper and
draft a response, it is likely that the meeting would qualify for
Law Society of Saskatchewan CPD hours as a study
group.
Find A Lawyer and Member Profile on the Law
Society website will not be available this afternoon due to a
system upgrade.
March 22, 2013
The Law Society of Saskatchewan Hearing Committee issued a
notice of sentencing in the discipline matter of Sterling Gilbert
McLean.
March 20, 2013
REMINDER! Consultations on the Law Reform Commission of
Saskatchewan's
Presumption of Crown Immunity: Consultation Paper close on
March 31, 2013. Please review the paper and respond to the
consultation questions before this date. Your input is
important.
March 15, 2013
Effective immediately, the west entrance (McIntyre Street)
of the Court of Appeal and Queen's Bench Court House in Regina will
be closed due to construction. There will be no access to the
Law Society Library on weekends and after hours until further
notice. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact
Melanie Hodges
Neufeld.
March 8, 2013
The Law Society of Saskatchewan Hearing Committee issued a
notice of sentencing in the discipline matter of Russell Milton Peet.
March 7, 2013
The Law Society of Saskatchewan Hearing Committee issued a
notice of sentencing in the discipline matter of Krishan Kumar.
February 28, 2013
The Research Ethics Office at the University of Saskatchewan is
seeking a member of the Law Society to volunteer on
the Biomedical Research Ethics Review Board.
February 27, 2013
Lynne Greenhorn has ceased practice and Jack Hillson at 955-9544
has assumed carriage of her files.
The Law Society of Saskatchewan Library is gathering information
to determine what Library resources are being used and what further
resources are required. Member participation in a short online
survey is key in order for the Law Society Library to develop
responsive services that enable you to work effectively. Estimated
time to complete the survey is 5-7 minutes. The deadline for
participating in the survey is March 12, 2013.
All members were emailed a link to the survey on Monday,
February 25th. If you did not receive the link and would like to
participate, please contact Melanie Hodges Neufeld at melanie@lawsociety.sk.ca.
February 19, 2013
The Government of Saskatchewan proclaimed The Commissioners
for Oaths Act, 2012 and Regulations, which came into effect on
February 15. These changes modernize Saskatchewan's
legislation for appointing Commissioners for Oaths, including
removal of some provisions that are outdated or unnecessary and use
of updated language. The new legislation eliminates the
distinction between "in and for" and "without"
Saskatchewan. Lawyers will now sign the jurat using the
following indication of their status: "A Commissioner for
Oaths for Saskatchewan, being a lawyer" or "A Commissioner for
Oaths for Saskatchewan, being a solicitor." Other changes include
an increase in the number of persons who are automatically
Commissioner for Oaths by virtue of their status or office and
cease to be commissioners when they no longer hold office or have
that status. In addition, there is an expectation
that all Commissioners for Oaths know and understand their roles
and responsibilities associated with the legislation.
The Ministry of Justice will post updated Guidelines for the Use of
Commissioners for Oaths on their website. For
more information, The Commissioners for Oaths Act, 2012
and The Commissioners for Oaths Regulations, 2013 will be
available on the Queen's Printer
website.
February 11, 2013
Accounting for the Elimination of the Penny
As of February 4th, 2013, the Canadian penny is no longer being
distributed to financial institutions in Canada. Electronic
money will still be in one cent increments, however cash will be
rounded to the closest 5 cent increment. This will impact the
trust accounts and general accounts when cash is received. We
suggest that:
- For the general account(s) - a "Rounding Difference" account be
set up in the general ledger. Only rounding differences (both
up and down) should be posted to this account and written off at
the end of the year.
- For the trust account(s) - A new "Rounding Difference" client
trust account be set up with the firm depositing no more than
$50.00 into the account. Any rounding differences should be
posted to this account. The firm should replenish the $50.00
at the end of the year, or as required.
- Firms should consider changing their accounting system to round
invoices to the nearest five cent increment as shown below:
| Round Down |
Round Up |
| $1.01 or $1.02 >> $1.00 |
$1.03 or $1.04 >> $1.05 |
| $1.06 or $1.07 >> $1.05 |
$1.08 or $1.09 >> $1.10 |
February 7, 2013
The Law Society of Saskatchewan Admissions and
Education Committee issued a notice of hearing regarding
the CPLED Appeal Hearing of Joanie Stephanie
Paquin.
The Law Society of Saskatchewan Admissions and
Education Committee issued a notice of hearing regarding
the CPLED Appeal Hearing of Darby Jane
Bachynski.
January 30, 2013
Law Society members are invited to attend the Swearing-in
Ceremony of Judge Paul Demong at 3 p.m., on Friday, February 15,
2013, at the Regina Provincial Court House.
January 21, 2013
Mr. Dean Mattison is no longer in compliance with the conditions of his reinstatement
order dated December 1, 2009 as his practice advisor supervisor
has withdrawn. Mr. Mattison is, therefore, not entitled to
practice law at this time.
January 8, 2013
The deadline for nominations for the Pro Bono Service
Award has been extended to January 16th, 2013. Please
complete the nomination
form and send to Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan before the
deadline.
The 4th Annual
Gown to Gown Charity Gala will be held on January 25th, 2013 at
the Hotel Saskatchewan in Regina. This year's event features
Justice Richards as MC, a silent auction, and entertainment by the
Jack Semple Band. Two sets of two tickets to the Juno awards
dress rehearsal, being held in Regina in 2013, will be awarded to
one out of town guest and one guest from Regina. All proceeds
will benefit Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan. Tickets can be ordered online or by emailing Jeffrey Grubb,
Q.C..
January 3, 2013
The Swearing-in Ceremony of Judge William Campbell will take
place at 3 p.m., Friday, January 11, 2013, at the Regina Provincial
Court House. All members are invited to attend.
January 2, 2013
The Rules of the Court of Queen's Bench for Saskatchewan
will be amended effective January 4, 2012. Rules 353, 357
to 361, 368, 369, 374, 379 to 382, Part 33, and Forms 37
and 38 will be repealed and Rules 352 and 373 will
be repealed and replaced and Subrule 383(1) will
be amended.
The Law Society of Saskatchewan, at its December Convocation,
elected Heather Laing, Q.C. as President and Miguel Martinez as
Vice-President for 2013.
Heather Laing is a partner with the law firm McDougall Gauley
LLP, in its Saskatoon office. Ms. Laing practices exclusively
in the areas of insurance law and civil litigation. She was
first elected a Bencher of the Law Society of Saskatchewan in 2010
and has served on the Ethics, Library, and Standing Investigation
committees and as Chair of the Professional Standards Committee in
2011. Ms. Laing was elected as Vice-President of the Law
Society for 2012.
Miguel Martinez is a partner with the Martinez Meunier Sholter
law firm in Lloydminster. He has a general practice with a
focus on civil litigation, personal injury, and family law.
Mr. Martinez became a Bencher of the Law Society of Saskatchewan in
2010 and has served on several committees of the Law Society over
the past 3 years.
