Canadian Lawyer

Regional wrap-up JES helps Guatemalan justice system catch killers I t was a horrific crime that shocked justice systems internationally as the butchered body parts of Guatemalan assistant prosecutor Allan Stowlinsky were strewn around the town of Coban where he had led a seizure of drugs from the Los Zetas cartel in 2011. "They were sending a message that if you take their drugs, this is what is going to happen to you," says executive director Rick Craig of the Vancouverbased Justice Education Society of B.C., which has been instrumental in providing training to Guatemalan authorities. JES' work, which is unique in Canada, saw nine men prosecuted and convicted and three receiving life sentences totalling 97 years in June 2012. The apprehension of Stowlinsky's murderers is an example of how 13 years of Canadian police and prosecutor participation in reshaping the Guatemalan system is paying off in an environment where serious crimes went virtually unpunished. Three years ago, the apprehension rate was five per cent with an average of 15 murders per night in major cities. "There was impunity," Craig says. The work by JES has been maturing and growing expertise in the Guatemalan justice system, with the apprehension rate now reaching 28 per cent with 36 Zetas arrested, prosecuted, and receiving jail time totalling 1,250 years. "We have been involved in a number of ways," says Craig, as JES responded to a Guatemalan request to help reform its justice system not just by moving to a modern day adversarial system from an inquisitorial one, but by forging a more effective appre- hension and prosecution system. In Guatemala, prosecutors lead investigations, directing police when a major crime is committed. Usually, a few notes and possibly a photo are taken at a crime scene and those involved in the investigation do no work as a team. Craig said JES had to start from scratch, training individuals on how to collect information from a crime scene, process evidence, and set up laboratories. They also trained individuals on the use of specialized equipment, to deliver it into the hands of the prosecutor, and how prosecutors should present that information in court. Judges also had to be trained in evaluating evidence. There were also technical training sessions on blood spatters, wiretapping and other surveillance techniques, and forensic video analysis. Know how the courts are applying canadian sales law New editioN Sale of GoodS in Canada, 6th edition Professor Gerald H.l. fridman, Q.C., f.r.s.C. Updated with dozeNs of New decisioNs Sale of Goods in Canada, 6th edition is the specialist work you can rely on in your practice for clear, informative analysis of this part of the law – just as the courts do. The only Canadian work of its kind, this publication thoroughly examines legislation and case law from the provinces and territories, and makes the law and its interpretation relevant for today. order # 985396-65203 $237 Hardcover approx. 650 pages april 2013 978-0-7798-5396-0 Written by renowned legal scholar G.H.l. fridman, Sale of Goods in Canada, 6th edition is updated with the author's highly regarded commentary on important case law since the previous edition. included are dozens of new decisions that have an impact on the contract of sale of goods, including the law that governs contracts generally, such as the effect of mistake. Shipping and handling are extra. Price subject to change without notice and subject to applicable taxes. 12 J u ly 2013 www.CANADIAN L a w ye r m a g . c o m available Risk-fRee foR 30 days order online: www.carswell.com call toll-free: 1-800-387-5164  in toronto: 416-609-3800

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