Law Society of the Northwest Territories

WEEKLY BULLETIN

Watch this bulletin for CBA-NT updates and events.

Membership Renewals

FINAL NOTICE - ONE WEEK REMAINS. If you have not done so already, please submit your renewal forms and fees by the March 31 deadline.

Members are reminded that annual membership renewal documents and fees are due on March 31, 2010.

Reminders have been sent to all outstanding members.

You will find all necessary forms and information on the Law Society website:
www.lawsociety.nt.ca
/membership/renewals.html

The Law Society
of the Northwest Territories
Main Floor; 5004 - 50th Avenue
P.O. Box 1298
Yellowknife, NT
X1A 2N9

TEL: (867) 873-3828
FAX: (867) 873-6344

CONTENTS:

1. Territorial Court Bench & Bar Committee
2. NWT COURTS: Docket Add-ons
3. SCNWT: Mandatory Attendance at Parenting Workshop
4. GNWT: Request for Proposals
5. NWT COURTS: Increase to Territorial Court Civil Jurisdiction
6. UPCOMING MEETINGS
7. LUNCH & LEARN SEMINARS
8. NATIONAL CPD OPPORTUNITIES

TERRITORIAL COURT
Bench & Bar Committee

The Hon. Judge Robert Gorin has advised the Law Society that he wishes to convene a Territorial Court Bench and Bar Committee. To that end, we are seeking expressions of interest from the following:

1. At least one senior lawyer who works in the areas of civil law which are typically dealt with in the Territorial Court;
2. A lawyer who frequently does work on behalf of the Director of Child and Family Services; and
3. A lawyer who frequently represents respondent parents in child protection matters.

Members who are interested should indicate so to the Executive Director of the Law Society no later than, Monday, March 29, 2010.

NWT COURTS
Docket Add-ons

Effective immediately, matters are not to be added to the docket after 4:00pm on the Wednesday prior to the week in which the court date falls. The exceptions are:

• Show-cause matters
• If accused has matters on the docket already
• Truly exigent of exceptional circumstances

Please contact Sheila Anderson, Manager, if you have any concerns regarding the above information.

SUPREME COURT OF THE NWT
Mandatory Attendance at Parenting After Separation Workshop

This Practice Direction represents a 12 month pilot project commencing April 1, 2010 in the City of Yellowknife aimed at ensuring that parties to family law proceedings where there are issues affecting children have access to information about the effects of family breakdown on children. The purpose of this Practice Direction is to encourage adult parties to deal with court proceedings with an awareness of, and sensitivity to, the impact on their children and themselves so as to minimize disruption and stress for the children.

In this Practice Direction, the Parenting After Separation seminar referred to is the free Parenting After Separation Workshop currently offered by the Department of Justice, Government of the Northwest Territories, or any equivalent seminar that may be offered by the Department of Justice from time to time.

This Practice Direction can be viewed at the NWT Courts website:
http://www.nwtcourts.ca/Registry/ndd.htm

GNWT EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS ACT
Request for Proposals

The Government of the Northwest Territories is requesting Proposals from law firms or sole practitioners entitled to practice law in the Northwest Territories as to their willingness and capability to provide the legal advice and services for a one year term on behalf of the Employment Standard Appeal Office and Adjudicators appointed under the Employment Standards Act as outlined in this Request. The intent is to select one firm or sole practitioner for that purpose for a two-year contract, with the possibility of extension.

For full details, visit the GNWT Contract Opportunities website at
www.contractregistry.nt.ca
Reference: PM009461
Submission Deadline: March 26, 2010 - 4:00pm

NWT COURTS
Increase to Territorial Court Civil Jurisdiction

An increase to the Territorial Court civil jurisdiction from $10,000 to $25,000 is being considered.

Increasing the civil jurisdiction would be consistent with what is happening in Western Canada, where the monetary limits in provincial and territorial courts currently range from $20,000 to $25,000.

It is expected that this change will assist the public by providing an inexpensive and efficient mechanism for resolving civil disputes up to $25,000.

Members are encouraged to forward any comments regarding this increase to Anne Mould, Director of Court Services, at anne_mould@gov.nt.ca or by phone at 920-8852. Comments will be received until March 31, 2010.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

LUNCH & LEARN SEMINARS

NATIONAL CPD OPPORTUNITIES

All members are encouraged to participate in online events by CBA National. Please visit the CBA links provided for details. CBA-NT Members are invited to the Law Society Boardroom to participate in select online events provided by the CBA and CBA-BC. Please register by the dates listed below.