Public needs improved access to Canadian courts, chief justice says

Public needs improved access to Canadian courts, chief justice says by Ian Bailey, August 11, 2012, The Globe and Mail
Ms. McLachlin said the issue is especially relevant to civil courts, where there are not enough judges, lawyers are expensive – “I am not criticizing that, but it’s a fact”and there are delays. The issue, she noted, is under review by the Action Committee on Access to Justice in Civil and Family Matters, which includes the Canadian Bar Association, Justice Canada, and the Canadian Judicial Council. … She said funding is part of the issue. “Courts have to be adequately staffed. You have to have court clerks; you have to have registrars; you have to have people to run the courtrooms. “Everybody knows that and that costs some money, but you’re providing a public service. Whether it’s more or less (money), those are matters I can’t get into. I simply say courts have to be staffed. There are many other things that have to be done properly. It’s a complex picture.” … McMcLachlin, 69 and chief justice since 2000, said she has no plans to retire. [Emphasis added]

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