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Procurement model. The private sector pays for the upfront costs of projects and, in some cases, is responsible for maintaining the building for around 30 years. The province repays the private sector in monthly instalments, as long as service standards are hit. This would appear to provide some level of safeguard against brand new buildings being left to rot, although the details of the contracts are confidential. Similar schemes around the world, such as the Private Finance Initiative used in Australia, the United Kingdom, and Spain, have led to complaints about shoddy workmanship and spiraling costs, after payments have been renegotiated by the private sector. The value-for-money report for Ontario's Durham Region's AFP courthouse says payments may only be adjusted in "very specific circumstances." An Infrastructure Ontario spokeswoman said she could not elaborate on the financing of the deals as this could affect the province's future negotiating position. Ontario's new courthouses have been dotted around the less urban areas of the province, to the exasperation of some Toronto-based lawyers. Criminal defence lawyer Sam Goldstein argues that as Ontario's biggest city, it is odd Toronto lacks a consolidated building, containing the Provincial Court and the Superior Court in one space, like the Quinte Courthouse. "There would be But persuading those in power of the long-term gains to be had from these types of projects can be a hard sell. As Court says, a new courthouse is "not a sexy thing" and "doesn't get people elected [like] sports facilities, schools, and hospitals." However, Rooke believes there is a strong case for change: "These are capital "If the building has no gravitas or solemnity, how can anyone engender respect for the institution?" — Peter Court a lot of efficiency," he says. "We would be saving money. We wouldn't need the same number of judges or Crowns, or child co-ordinators." He claims files are lost "all the time" as they are transferred between the different city courts. New York, NY New York, NY , projects, and we need a capital budget that recognizes that growth in population requires a growth in community services," he says. "Just as we have to build roads, we have to build courthouses. We can't be running them out of a shopping mall." DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE Individual Discount – Receive 15% off any individual program. Use Promo Code 15LAWFIRM at checkout with any of the events. Group Discounts – We have great group discounts available for you and your colleagues. The more events you purchase, the more you save: New York, NY New York, NY Untitled-1 1 Call 1-800-308-1700 for more information or to register. www.CANADIAN L a w ye r m a g . c o m 13-10-28 4:28 PM November/December 2013 35

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