Law Times

PAGE 2 NEWS December 12, 2011 • Law Times Peter Milliken returns to his roots Former Commons Speaker back at firm he practised at before politics BY KENNETH JACKSON For Law Times KINGSTON, Ont. — While walking down Princess Street in Kingston, several people no- tice Peter Milliken. "Th ere's an easy-working man right there," a middle- aged man says jovially as he walks by. Milliken smiles and keeps walking. Later, he says he didn't know the man but may have met him at a function or while knock- ing on doors during his time as the MP for Kingston and the Islands from 1988 until May of this year. It happens often. He's a well-known face in these parts. Within a 45-minute period, he says hello or nods his head to about a dozen people. Milliken is retired, but as the saying goes, you can take the politician out of Ottawa but you can't take Ottawa out of the politician. He's doing his best to do that, however. Milliken retired just be- fore the May election as the longest-serving Speaker of the House of Commons. He held the title from 2001 until this year. "Oh, fi ne," he says when asked how retirement feels. "I'm glad for the break after all those years. It's just a lot less work. It's quite enjoyable." Th e proof is in his attire. Milliken has traded in the black robe for a Merry Christ- mas tie. But it's not like he's been sit- ting at home on the couch or at the cottage. Milliken keeps busy. In fact, he has sort of gone back to his roots at his old law fi rm. Before entering politics in 1988, Milliken was a partner at Cunningham Swan Carty Peter Milliken gets set to meet with students at Queen's University last week. Besides his work there, he has also returned to his old law firm. Little & Bonham LLP. He be- gan his career in 1973. Milliken is back there now serving as the fi rm's counsel. "I'm there to work with their clients and maybe try to attract new clients and all that sort of INTERPRET THE RULES OF PRACTICE NEW EDITION SUPREME COURT OF CANADA PRACTICE 2012 HENRY S. BROWN, Q.C. Where do you turn to for analysis of the latest changes to the rules of practice before the Supreme Court of Canada? Supreme Court of Canada Practice 2012 brings you up to date on these changes and provides clear, succinct commentary on the background and context behind them. The Rules of the Supreme Court of Canada were significantly amended effective April 12, 2011. Changes include amendments relating to: • computation of time • service and filing of documents • guidelines for preparing all court documents • notice of appeal, factum, length of factum and record • constitutional questions • amendments to forms and tariffs This new 12th edition also updates the profession regarding recent decisions by the Court, its Judges and the Registrar, and has new or revised commentaries. Topics include: • composition of the Court • questions of law • jurisdiction over sentence appeals generally and per the National Defence Act • the practice and tests for new evidence • stay of proceedings by the appeal courts and by the Judges of this Court • extensions of time • sealing orders, publication bans and redacted copies • condensed books filed at the appeal • new Notices to the Profession BONUS FOR STANDING ORDER SUBSCRIBERS – PRACTICE ADVISOR Get Practice Advisor at no extra cost with your standing order subscription to Supreme Court of Canada Practice 2012. Emailed to you every three months, this service includes the most up-to-date information on all significant topics, decisions and changes. AVAILABLE RISK-FREE FOR 30 DAYS Order online at www.carswell.com Call Toll-Free 1-800-387-5164 In Toronto 416-609-3800 thing but I'm not there practis- ing law," he says, adding he's been out of the legal profession far too long to begin practising again. Th e fi rm, the largest in Kingston, focuses on a number of areas of law, including real estate, labour and employment, and business. According to its web site, the fi rm has had roots in Kingston since 1894. On its web site, it says Mil- liken's "extensive experience and judgment have placed him in a unique position to provide strategic advice and guidance on a broad range of issues that benefi t our fi rm's clients." When he practised law, Mil- liken gradually moved into the municipal, labour, and real es- tate areas after starting out with a general practice. A graduate of Queen's University in Kings- ton, he went on to Dalhousie University in Halifax to get his law degree in 1971. Besides his work at the fi rm, Milliken can also be found in the halls of the Queen's campus these days. He joined Queen's as a fellow in the school of pol- icy studies this year. "I'm thrilled to have an op- ORDER # 983551-61686 $115 Hardcover November 2011 approx. 700 pages 978-0-7798-3551-5 Annual volumes available on standing order subscription Practice Advisor available upon request with standing order subscription Multiple copy discounts available Shipping and handling are extra. Price subject to change without notice and subject to applicable taxes. portunity to do more teaching at Queen's," he said at the time. "It's something I've been doing ever since I was elected and I'm happy that I will now be able to do it on a more consistent basis." Milliken's term as Speaker of the Commons ended af- ter the minority Conservative government fell due to a non- confi dence motion. As that day in March began, his colleagues applauded as he walked to the chambers. Even though a Liberal, Mil- liken held th e title through two Conservative minority govern- ments. He's only the second Opposition MP to be chosen as Speaker. It's a testament to the degree to which his rivals respected him. Before the government fell to the non-confi dence vote, Conservative MP and cabinet minister John Baird rose to recall a meeting he once had with the Speaker of the British House of Commons in Lon- don, England. "Th e Speaker of the Com- mons there said that he and Speakers from all around the Commonwealth look to you as their leader and their in- spiration as someone who has conducted himself very profes- sionally," Th e Globe and Mail quoted Baird as saying. "For a Canadian to hear that from a British Speaker is a pretty remarkable . . . assessment of your role as Speaker." Baird said Milliken would "go down in history as, if not one of the best Speakers, the best Speaker the House of Commons has ever had." Former Liberal leader Mi- chael Ignatieff said: "You have taught us all — sometimes with modest rebuke, some- times with stern force of argu- ment — to understand, to re- spect, and to cherish the rules of Canadian democracy, and for that alone all Canadians will be grateful to you." www.lawtimesnews.com Photo: Kenneth Jackson

• Cover
• Return to Roots
• Religious Guidance
• Focus on Criminal Law