Canadian Lawyer

w w w . C A N A D I A N L a w y e r m a g . c o m A u g u s t 2 0 1 4 7 RegIonal wRap-up AtlAntic N.S. eStabliSheS 'uNique' a2J committee n ova Scotia is shining the spotlight on access to justice and has established a new committee to make the province's family, civil, and criminal court systems more efficient and effective, less costly, and easier to navigate. The ultimate goal of the new committee is to make Nova Scotia a national leader in improvements to access to justice. What differentiates the Access to Justice Co-ordinating Com- mittee from myriad other provincial government committees is its membership. Justice Minister Lena Metlege Diab and Chief Justice Michael MacDonald are at its helm, with members including the president of the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society, president of the Canadian Bar Association-Nova Scotia Branch, dean of Dalhousie University's Schulich School of Law, executive director of Nova Scotia Legal Aid, and a public representative. The leadership of the committee is what makes the committee unique, says NSBS president Tilly Pillay. "Being small is helpful. You can make something like this happen in Nova Scotia that you might not be able to elsewhere." The public representative is also an important addition to the committee, she notes. "How can you put the public first if you don't hear what they have to say?" The seven-member committee, which has a three-year term, will act on recommendations outlined in reports released last year by the National Action Committee on Access to Justice in Civil and Family Matters and the Canadian Bar Association. It's not about pouring more money into the system, stresses Pillay. "The issue is not about more resources but how you use the resources you have." In fact, the committee does not have its own budget to spend on initiatives. Its role is one of co-ordination, and its work will be sup- ported by staff from each of the committee member's organizations. Pillay points out Nova Scotia has already acted to enhance access to justice. The government, for example, has created a one-stop online shop for individuals looking for family law resources and the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia has launched a province- wide pro bono service, Access Legal Help NS. Two specialty courts, mental health and domestic violence, have also been established. The focus of the new committee is broad and will include educa- tion and awareness at the earliest stages. "We want to reach people before they access the justice system," says Pillay. The government has high, albeit somewhat vague, hopes for the future success of the access to justice co-ordinating committee. At the end of its inaugural term, according to the terms of reference, the committee must have launched initiatives in family law mat- ters, criminal law processes, and to improve the response to civil legal needs. Substantial progress must also have been demonstrated although "substantial" is never defined. — DoNALee MouLtoN donalee@quantumcommunications.ca Thumbs-up for inTernaTional lawyer program l awyers and law firms in Nova Scotia are giving Canada's first observership program for interna- tionally trained lawyers a thumbs-up. A report on the one-year pilot program, co-ordinated by the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society, found of the 11 observerships completed almost all participants said it met their goals, and the legal workplaces involved indicated they wanted to continue to participate. "The program has shown us the value of bringing internationally trained lawyers into the legal community. It has created a dialogue and opportunities to understand our legal system," says NSBS executive director Darrel Pink. The program, launched last year with funding from the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Educa- tion, was established to address the challenges, barriers, and gaps internationally trained lawyers face. Under the program, a foreign-trained lawyer is paired with a super- vising lawyer in a field relevant to his or her career goals. The intent is to expose lawyers trained in other countries to all facets of legal practice in Nova Scotia and thereby smooth their entry into the legal profession — if that is their goal. "Success can be measured in terms of individu- als' [preferences]," Pink notes. "If someone decides to become a plumber, that is also success." Indeed, one of the recommendations put forward in the 72-page report is the need to increase awareness of the benefits of hiring internationally trained lawyers in alterna- tive legal careers. According to the report, "The most diffi- cult subgroup to serve within the ITL population are those people who have studied and worked in civil law jurisdic- tions. There appear to be increasing options for re-entry into the profession, but more could be done to promote their contributions as paralegals, legal researchers, business consultants and more." The program gives internationally trained lawyers an up-close and personal look at the legal system in Nova Scotia. They observe the day-to-day proceedings of a legal workplace, such as a government department or private firm, conduct legal research, and attend client meetings. The report recommends the Internationally Trained Lawyer Observership Program continue, and the NSBS is prepared to remain in the co-ordinator role. "No changes are anticipated," says Pink. "The template is working." — DM

• Cover