Free speech advocates are applauding a ruling by the BC Court of Appeal that says no to government changes to an election-campaign spending law. A court has again ruled the B.C. law on third-party advertising before an election is unconstitutional. The BC Supreme Court struck down the law in 2009, on a challenge by the teachers union. The province … [Read more...]
“Culture of delay” blamed in court backlogs
August 30, 2012 by
The lawyer hired by the government to overhaul B-C's justice system has delivered his final report to Attorney General Shirley Bond. But a call for more funding is not among Geoffrey Cowper's recommendations. Instead, Cowper calls for more emphasis on resolving matters before formal charges are laid, the creation of a new Criminal Justice and … [Read more...]
Teen accused in 2010 murder of Laura Szendrei to re-appear in court Monday
August 26, 2012 by
15-year-old Laura Szendrei's murder case is set to pick up in court Monday morning. The preliminary inquiry is set for provincial court in Surrey, in which the Crown sets out its case and witnesses. Szendrei was found in Delta's Mackie Park two years ago, badly beaten, and later died in hospital. Delta Mayor Lois Jackson says the underbrush at the … [Read more...]
Federal appeals court says warrantless wiretapping is legal
August 12, 2012 by
A federal appeals court has ruled today that the US government can tap into Americans' communications without worrying over frivolous things like "being sued" by its people. In what most sane civilians will probably see as a depressing loss of protection, a three-judge panel of the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that citizens can sue the … [Read more...]
Court documents reveal lots of money missing after Edmonton heist
August 10, 2012 by
Court paperwork unsealed today says there might be a large chunk of missing money out there after the June 15th killing of three armoured car guards in Edmonton. Travis Baumgartner was arrested late the next day trying to cross into the United States in Sumas. He was then taken back to Edmonton to face charges. The contents of a … [Read more...]
BC Court of Appeal says ALS victim can end her own life
August 10, 2012 by
The BC Court of appeal has ruled, a West Kelowna woman can end her life through doctor-assisted suicide, if she chooses to do so. In June, the BC Supreme Court Gloria Taylor a "constitutional exemption," allowing the A-L-S sufferer to die on her own terms. And as expected, the federal government appealed that ruling, asking for a stay of … [Read more...]
Court win for BCTF
August 3, 2012 by
The BC Teachers Federation has won its appeal of an abritrator's ruling dating back several years. At issue is a decision concerning class size limits, which are spelled out in the BC School Act. In both 2009 and 2011 an arbitrator created the so-called "Rule of 33" which allowed exceptions to class size limits in certain cases, where … [Read more...]
RCMP class-action lawsuit bid introduced in court
August 2, 2012 by
The bid to certify a class action lawsuit against the RCMP is now officially underway. During the first court hearing for the suit, lawyers for former Constable Janet Merlo outlined their case, which is being launched on behalf of current and former female RCMP members, civilian members, and staff who have suffered harassment and gender-based … [Read more...]
Captain’s owner unlikely to face tough time in court, if charged
July 26, 2012 by
An animal law expert says most dog owners historically only get a slap on the wrist for animal cruelty charges. As far as what, if any, charges might be laid against the owner of a german shepherd that died after being found badly injured in a Kitsilano dumpster, Animal Law Lawyer Rebecca Breder says "There are two possibilities one is … [Read more...]
UPDATES: ICBC takes union to court
July 23, 2012 by
ICBC is taking its union to court, claiming workers are using company email addresses to promote their side in their ongoing labour dispute. ICBC says workers have been including a link to the union's website in those signatures, and that the website uses images which closely resemble official logos trademarked by the company. ICBC says it told the … [Read more...]
