Law Times

Page 16 April 22, 2013 Law Times • u The u Bizarre Briefs InsIde story By Viola James THAIS LEAVE MILITARY FATE TO LOTTO DRAW BANGKOK — Some people fear red cards in soccer games, but many Thai men who try their luck in Thailand's military draft lottery dread them for another reason: drawing one means an extended army posting. Just this month, Winai Sawaengkarn closed his eyes before reaching into a wooden box and drawing a black card. He beamed and his watching mother swept him up into a tight embrace as she was overjoyed that he wouldn't have to serve in the army. Winai, 21, was just one of thousands of Thai men taking part in April's army recruitment lottery that will determine if they serve in the military. Others unwilling to chance fate volunteer for a shorter stint. "I've been lucky. But I'm happiest for my mother," said the delivery man who shouted when he saw his black card that exempts him from military service. Men over 21 must serve in the army. Those who volunteer serve six months, but others choose the annual lottery. Nobody wants a red card, which means serving for two years with the chance of a posting in the dangerous south. "I haven't slept in a week. I prayed before coming here that he wouldn't get a red card," said Noppakorn Leelahemkattana, mother of a 20-year-old son. Only those not considered physically capable of service, the mentally ill, and those who have significantly altered their physical appearance are exempt. Students can defer while in full-time education. Some wealthy and well-connected Thais will pay bribes to keep their sons from military service, but others see the army and its 9,000 Thai baht ($310) salary per month as a way out of poverty and a means to discipline unruly sons. "I want my son to be a soldier. He drinks too much and could do with the discipline," said Acharaya Goonyatip. "If he's sent to the south, I would make peace with that. We all have to die anyway." Her son subsequently drew a red card. Among those singled out for special treatment are transgenders who can't change their gender on their national identification cards and may be unlucky enough to be recruited if their physical changes are still slight. But according to Reuters, there has been little overt public outcry and no calls to change the system. "This is part of every Thai man's life," said aspiring chef Jom Radidgumpu, who was filing papers to defer until his studies were over. "You can leave it up to fate or you can volunteer." FINLAND SORRY FOR BLACKLISTING PUTIN HELSINKI — It appears someone working for Finnish police has taken long-standing controversies surrounding Russian President Vladimir Putin too far. According to Reuters, Finland has apologized to Russian President Vladimir Putin after its police accidentally put him on a blacklist of people with connections to criminal activity. Seeking to avoid a diplomatic spat with its historically dominant neighbour, Finland quickly removed Putin's name from the list. According to Reuters, police acknowledged the list existed and said Putin's name had accidentally ended up on it but had since been deleted. "I wish to extend Russia's President Vladimir Putin sincere apologies for the incorrect registry entry," Interior Minister Paivi Rasanen said in a statement. Police said it wasn't immediately clear how Putin's name ended up on the list. Many Finns are wary of their powerful neighbour having fought the Soviet Union in the winter war of 1939-40 and the continuation war during the Second World War. Official relations since then have mostly been cordial with Finland sidestepping any policies, including membership in the NATO alliance, that could provoke Russia. LT SOSSIN WINS MUNDELL MEDAL Osgoode Hall Law School dean Lorne Sossin is the recipient of the Ministry of the Attorney General's 2012 David Walter Mundell medal. The medal "celebrates great legal writing and recognizes that the artful use of language in the right style has the power to give life to ideas," according to the ministry. Lorne Sossin Sossin has written extensively in areas such as administrative law, access to justice, and democratic governance. "Dean Sossin is one of the most influential and respected legal scholars in Canada," said Attorney General John Gerretsen. "Through innovative thinking, prodigious scholarship, and a multijurisdictional and interdisciplinary approach, he has had a profound impact on the development of law in Canada." Ontario Chief Justice Warren Winkler also attested to Sossin's accomplishments. "The breadth and depth of dean Sossin's scholarship is impressive and his selection for the Mundell medal brings credit to the award," said Winkler. CHIEF ADJUDICATOR SOUGHT The Indian Residential Schools Adjudication Secretariat is looking for a new chief adjudicator for residential school abuse claims. The successful candidate would replace Daniel Ish, who has announced his wish to step down. Ish adjudicated individual claims of abuse as part of the independent assessment process for the past few years. "We are very fortunate to have had someone as dedicated as Daniel to guide the IAP through its first five years," said Mayo Moran, chairwoman of the oversight committee that monitors the implementation of the independent assessment process. An oversight committee will select the new adjudicator who must have a law degree and at least 15 years at the bar. The right candidate will also have experience as a member of the judiciary or in the adjudication of claims and be knowledgeable about the history, culture, and current issues of aboriginals. Proposals are due by May 24. POLL RESULTS The results of the latest Law Times online poll are in. According to the poll, more than half of respondents believe the Ontario Divisional Court was right in not awarding Toronto Mayor Rob Ford costs in his conflict of interest case. About 56 per cent of respondents agree with the court's decision to leave Ford on the hook "I'm on the no-fly list!" for his own legal tab even though he was victorious in his battle against citizen Paul Magder. RISK MANAGEMENT KEY FOR IN-HOUSE Canadian in-house counsel find they provide the most value to their organizations when managing or reducing risk but often feel weighed down by the daily grind, according to this year's inhouse counsel barometer survey. When it comes to how inhouse counsel feel they provide value, the majority of respondents (72 per cent) cited risk management followed by helping to achieve strategic and operating objectives (45 per cent) and providing strategic advice (43 per cent). Created in conjunction with Vision Critical, the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association, and Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, the 2013 in-house counsel barometer survey polled 236 members of the CCCA. The annual survey looks at current attitudes and issues for Canadian in-house counsel. About one-third of those surveyed believe their department has grown over the past year and the same number feel their staff will increase over the next three years. That's a distinct shift from views presented in 2008-09 when in-house were more pessimistic about future growth. The positive outlook is partially due to necessity with half of the respondents reporting their legal department lacks adequate staff. LT Recruiting? Post your position on Great rates. Great reach. Great results. Contact Sandy Shutt at sandra.shutt@thomsonreuters.com for details. www.lawtimesnews.com JobsInLaw 1-8 pg 5X.indd 1 2/15/11 4:12:27 PM

• Cover