E-Brief Sept - Oct - The Advocates' Society

(Continued from page 3)Welcome to OurNew MembersAffiliateGeorge A. McAllister,George A. McAllister P.C.AssociateJohn KromkampCourt of Appeal for OntarioGovernmentSonal Gandhi, Ministry of the AG,Crown Law Office - CivilGordon E. Kaiser,Ontario Energy BoardKatherine Kavassalis, Ministry of theA-Gl, Office of the Children's LawyerTracey McCann, Department ofJustice - Citizenship, Immigration andPublic Safety PortfolioAnne Sonnen,Ontario Securities CommissionBrian Todd, Ministry of the A-G,Office of the Children's LawyerIntermediateAnjana Allen, Lofranco Romeo PitaroChagpar Shields, BarristersNawel Bailey, Gilbert's LLPCatherine Beaudoin,Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLPMoneika Bos,Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLPMelissa Brainis, Hunt Partners LLPAbigail Browne,Sim, Lowman, Ashton & McKay LLPAlison Burton,Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLPLenni Carreiro,Deeth Williams Wall LLPCatherine P. Clark,Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLPJames Cook, Gardiner, Roberts LLPJai Dhar, Rosen & CompanyD. Joel Dick,John Cannings, BarristerRachelle Dickinson, Goodmans LLPMartin Dolan,Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLPMichelle Dunbar, Hughes, Amys LLPTed Evangelidis,Torkin Manes Cohen Arbus LLPStephanie Fell, Davis & Company LLPJames Fera, Rochon GenovaContinued on page 5...professional misconduct, they will have access to a full system of professional discipline.If a complaint is made it will be investigated and ultimately may result in a hearingwith appropriate sanctions. Members of the public will have the same rights inrespect of paralegals that they now have against lawyers. This type of regulation notonly provides the ability to deal with bad apples, but also serves as a deterrentagainst apples going bad.A fully-regulated profession has positive benefits for the majority of competent paralegals,not the least of which is the professional support of the Law Society. Aslawyers, we benefit from a range of services including continuing education and personaladvice. These do enhance the quality of services that we are able to provide.This is innovative legislation. It does acknowledge the reality that a profession existsand it provides the public -- for the first time -- with the same safeguards it has withrespect to other regulated professions. The fact that this is new territory is appropriatelyreflected in the provisions of the bill that call for two separate reports -- one fromthe Law Society's Legal Services Provision, and one from a non-lawyer, non-paralegalperson appointed by the Attorney General.The entire area of regulation of paralegals has been talked about for a very long time.It is the very strong submission of The Advocates' Society that there has been sufficientdebate on the issue. The need for regulation is real. The time for legislativeaction is long past due.The amendments to the Limitations Act in Schedule DThe inability of parties to agree to extend a limitation period beyond what is providedin the Limitations Act is a clear oversight. Parties should be free to agree that theywill continue to attempt to resolve their issues without resorting to court proceedingsif they choose to do so, without giving up their legal rights. Similarly, if businesses arefree to set longer or shorter periods amongst themselves, then we have avoided apotential obstacle to conducting transactions in Ontario. The Advocates’ Society supportsthese changes.On behalf of The Advocates’ Society, thank you for the opportunity to address youand to put our views on the record.We make forensicInformation make sense.Collision ReconstructionCivil & Building SciencePersonal InjuryFire & Explosion InvestigationEquipment & ProcessesIndustrial & ChemicalProduct LiabilityEnvironmental ContaminationUtility & Heavy Electrical EquipmentForensic information is worthless, unlessyou can understand it. Fortunately, youcan rely on the experts at Giffin Koerthfor a powerful combination of technicalstrength and clear communication.We’ll help you understand the entirepicture, so you can make decisionswith confidence. For an independentengineering assessment that will standup to public scrutiny contact us. To learnmore, visit giffinkoerth.com40 University Avenue Suite 800Toronto ON, CanadaTel: 416 368 1700 • 1 800 564 5313Investigate Understand Communicate4 VOLUME 18, NO. 1, SUMMER 2006