Membership renewal forms for 2009/10 are now available online. Watch your inbox for a membership renewal email, coming soon. Starting this year, members are asked to complete a CPD Plan. You will find an information sheet with the CPD Plan form. Be sure to take advantage of the new "fillable" forms. You may now complete them from your desktop through Adobe Acrobat/Reader. Simply complete the form, print it, sign it and send it to us.

The deadline for membership renewal is March 31, 2009.

TO MEMBERS OF THE BAR

The Senior Judge of the Supreme Court would like to invite all members of the Bar who practice in the field of family law, either exclusively or only as part of their practice, to meet with him and one or two other judges of the court for an informal discussion on procedures for family law cases in the Supreme Court and what practices or initiatives should be considered to facilitate the resolution of family law cases.

The meeting will be at 10 AM on Thursday, March 5, 2009, in the third floor courtroom of the Court House. In order to encourage as much attendance as possible, the regularly scheduled family chambers session will be cancelled for that day.

Justice John Vertes

The CBA-NWT Branch Executive and Council will be meeting on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - 12:00pm in the Boardroom.

The Law Society Executive will be meeting on Thursday, February 12, 2009 - 12:00pm in the Boardroom.

Tax specialists from the firm MacKay LLP Chartered Accountants will be discussing the benefits of a Professional Corporation and will be available to answer any questions you may have with respect to your own personal situation or those of your clients. MacKay LLP tax specialists have many years of experience in the incorporation of professional practices in other jurisdictions. They are bringing this knowledge to the NWT as it makes the change to allow Professional Corporations.

They will:
• demonstrate how the use of a Professional Corporation can defer, and possibly even save you tens of thousands of dollars annually on your income taxes.
• show how family members can be included in the ownership structure to minimize overall taxes.
• illustrate the use of other entities such as family trusts and holding companies to maximize tax benefits.
• discuss the tax tips and pitfalls in incorporating your existing practice.

This is a free seminar for legal professionals, offered by Mackay LLP. Download and complete the RSVP form.

February 19, 2009 - 2:00 pm

MacKay LLP training boardroom
Communications Building
Suite 301, 5120 49th Street
Yellowknife, NT

The Northwest Territories Branch of the CBA is holding it's Mid-Winter meeting on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 12:00pm at Fuego International Restaurant.

On the agenda is a discussion on the resolutions for the National Mid-Winter Meeting and the presentation of service pins for members (for 5+ years, 10+, 15+, and so on). The 2008 Community Service Award will also be presented to Glenn Tait.

All CBA members are encouraged to attend. Please RSVP your attendance by return or by calling the Law Society so that we may advise the caterer.

The Discipline Committee is holding a meeting on Friday, February 20, 2009 – 12:00pm in the LSNT Boardroom. All committee members are encouraged to attend. Those outside of Yellowknife will be able to participate via teleconference. Please confirm your attendance by return if you haven't already done so.

A Special CPD Event will take place on Friday, March 13, 2009, starting at 9:00am in the Upper Level of Fuego International Restaurant.

In the morning session, Brian Olesky of the Law Society of Alberta will be discussing Trust Accounting. All members are encouraged to attend and to bring the individual responsible for doing their accounting.

In the afternoon, Ross McLeod, Practice Advisor with the Law Society of Alberta, will explore Client ID and Verification, as well as Legal Ethics.

Members are encouraged to take advantage of this event. Please RSVP your attendance, as appropriate, by return.

Effective February 1, 2009, the Territorial Court Act contains amendments to the Territorial Court Civil Claims Rules. You can find these amended rules at the address below:
http://www.lawsociety.nt.ca/Portals/0/pdf/R-008-2009.pdf

The CBA is currently seeking candidates for its National Standing Committees for 2009-2010. All CBA members are eligible to apply for positions on the following committees:

Awards
Communications
Continuing Legal Education
Equity
Ethics and Professional Issues
International Development
Judicial Compensation & Benefits
Legal Aid Liaison
Legislation and Law Reform
Resolutions, Constitution and Bylaws
Supreme Court of Canada Liaison

Nomination forms are available in the LSNT Office. Contact us for more information. The deadline for applications is April 15, 2009.