Law Society of the Northwest Territories

WEEKLY BULLETIN

Watch this bulletin for CBA-NT updates and events.

Don't forget to register for events before the registration deadlines.

ARCTIC OBITER

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(PDF - 2.30 MB)

CBA PD

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The Law Society
of the Northwest Territories
4th Floor, Diamond Plaza
5204 - 50th Avenue
P.O. Box 1298
Yellowknife, NT
X1A 1E2

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

CONTENTS:

1. MP meets with Family Law Section
2. Women Lawyers Forum: Recipes for Success
3. Legislative Assembly: Review of Child & Family Services Act
4. NWT Courts: Court of Appeal dates for 2011
5. NWT Courts: Supreme Court Criminal Chambers
6. Legal Aid: Family Law Clinic Moved
7. Canadian Lawyer Magazine: Rural Lawyers
8. UPCOMING MEETINGS
    Legal Ethics & Practice Committee
    Family Law Section
    Women Lawyers Forum
9. UPCOMING CLE EVENTS
    Criminal Records: Access and Usage
10. NATIONAL CPD OPPORTUNITIES
    [CBA Skilled Lawyers] Drafting for Business Lawyers
    Managing the Security and Privacy of Electronic Data in a Law Office

CBA-NT FAMILY LAW
Bevington to Discuss Custody Issue with Section

On the agenda for the next Family Law Section meeting is a discussion about Bill C-422. The subject of the Bill, which would direct courts to make equal, shared parenting the presumptive arrangement in the best interests of the child, has already been recognized by the CBA in its Resolution 10-04-A: "Best Interests of the Child".

Donald Large, QC, Chair of the CBA-NT Family Law Section, has invited Western Arctic MP Dennis Bevington to join the discussion. This is an opportunity for local Family Law lawyers to express their concerns with the NWT's elected member of parliament.

The CBA-NT Family Law Section meets next Thursday, October 14. See below for registration details. For more information, please contact Donald Large.

CBA-NT WOMEN LAWYERS FORUM
Recipes for Success

The CBA-NT Women Lawyers Forum invites women in the legal profession to a casual evening with some of Yellowknife's successful women professionals. Hear stories of inspiration and recipes for success from:

• The Hon. Justice Louise Charbonneau, Supreme Court of the NWT
• The Hon. Sandy Lee, Minister of Health & Social Services (GNWT)
• Karan Shaner, Assistant Deputy Minister of Justice (GNWT)
• and Sheila MacPherson, Senior Partner at Lawson Lundell LLP

Afterwards, enjoy various wines with a guided tasting and share your success stories with other professionals at this women only event.

Join us at the Champagne Room on Thursday, October 14, starting at 5:00pm. Tickets are only $10 ($20 for non-members).

Invitations have been sent to women lawyers in the NWT. If you have not received an invitation, please contact the CBA-NT office at (867) 669-7739.

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
Review of the Child and Family Services Act

The Standing Committee on Social Programs is preparing to present its report on the review of the Child and Family Services Act, entitled Building Stronger Families, to the Legislative Assembly on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 2:00 pm. Following the presentation in the House, there will be media conference in the Great Hall of the Legislative Assembly. Copies of the report will be available both at the Assembly or on the Assembly website, www.assembly.gov.nt.ca.

The Committee invites members of the public to attend and participate in the public dialogue that they hope will develop around the issues of supports and services for children and families in the NWT.

The Committee appreciated the input from family law lawyers in the NWT at a facilitated meeting in January. The Committee is advising all interested parties to be present in the gallery on October 21st at 2 p.m.

NWT COURTS
Court of Appeal 2011

The Court of Appeal sitting dates to be held in Yellowknife for 2011 have been set as follows:

• Tuesday, January 18
• Tuesday, April 12
• Tuesday, June 14
• Tuesday, October 18

NWT COURTS
Supreme Court Criminal Chambers

Please note Supreme Court Criminal Chambers will be held in Courtroom 1 on October 18, 2010.

Any questions or concerns regarding this may be directed to the Court Registry.

LEGAL SERVICES BOARD
NWT Family Law Clinic has Moved

The Legal Services Board of the NWT's Family Law Clinic has moved its offices to the following location:

4rd Floor, Panda II
8 - 4915 48th Street
Yellowknife, NT
X1A3S4

This move applies only to the Family Law Clinic and does not affect other departments of the Legal Services Board.

CANADIAN LAWYER MAGAZINE
Rural Canada - Your Input is Welcome

Canadian Lawyer Magazine is examining the state of law in rural Canada for its next issue. Reporter Robert Todd is currently collecting statistics, speaking with lawyers and assesing the situation.

Gail Cohen, Editorial Director of the magazine, is also inviting lawyers from across the country to get involved. She's looking for photos to help illustrate this special feature. Lawyers in small and rural communities are encouraged to take a picture of themselves at their desks or in front of their offices. As well, any ideas, comments or toughts about running a practice in a smaller community are appreciated - be it about succession planning, business development, attracting young associates, or anything else.

Send your photos and comments, along with your contact information, by October 15. Photos can be directed to the editor at cleditor@clbmedia.ca. Comments can be sent directly to the reporter at rtodd@clbmedia.ca.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

UPCOMING CLE EVENTS

NATIONAL CPD OPPORTUNITIES