Law Times

PAGE 20 WillBuilder Tel: 416.322.6111 Toll-free: 1.866.367.7648 doprocess com ntitled-7 1 The STREET-RACING LAW QUESTIONED The province says it will appeal a judge's ruling that deemed its street-racing law unconstitu- tional. "Our position is that the street- racing provisions are consti- tutional and that they are an important public safety initia- tive," Ministry of the Attor- ney General spokesman Bren- dan Crawley told Canada.com, adding the Crown will appeal the decision at the Ontario Court of Justice. "In the interim, people should understand that the street-racing provisions are still in effect, and police can still lay charges." The law sets a minimum fine for street racing of $2,000 and a top fine of $10,000. Napanee Justice G.J. Griffin put the law in question last week, ruling it wrongly makes way for individuals to face jail time even if they're not deemed morally re- sponsible for the crime. NEW TOP JUDGE AT FEDERAL APPEALS Justice Pierre Blais has been named the Federal Court of Ap- peal's new chief justice follow- ing the July retirement of former chief justice John Richard. Blais, a former justice min- ister and attorney general in Brian Mulroney's cabinet, has been on the appeal court since February 2008. Blais practised in Quebec City at the firm Morin Lemieux Blais until 1984, when he moved into politics. OJEN AWARD ANNOUNCED The Ontario Justice Education Network has named a Bramp- ton high school law teacher the recipient of its annual Chief Justices' Award. Jo Thornton, a department head at Mayfield Secondary School, will receive the honour Monday during this year's Open- ing of the Courts festivities. The award goes to an Ontarian who [ Reinventing the Will www 1/26/09 3:38:37 PM Inside Story has made an important contribu- tion by "promoting public under- standing, education, and dialogue in support of a responsive and in- clusive justice system," the OJEN said in announcing the award. "As a result of Jo's efforts, the youth she is involved with are often much better informed and prepared for their first court expe- rience than they would otherwise be," the OJEN added. "These young people are then in a better position to meaningfully participate in the court process and to un- derstand the role of each of the players in the system." CARNWATH NAMED OSC COMMISSIONER Former senior judge of the cen- tral-west region, James Carn- wath, has been named a commis- sioner of the Ontario Securities Commission. Carnwath served as both a Di- visional Court and Superior Court judge and retired after 29 years on the bench. His other contributions include a term as chairman of the education com- mittee of the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Jus- tice, and he also helped adminis- ter seminars for newly appointed federal judges. He was called to the bar in 1962 and received his law degree from the University of Toronto. Also appointed as OSC com- missioner was professional ac- countant Sinan Akdeniz as well as former Bell Canada executive Wes Scott. "I welcome the addition of Messrs. Carnwath, Akdeniz, and Scott as commissioners and board members," said OSC chairman David Wilson in an- nouncing the appointments. "These individuals bring the breadth of knowledge and expe- rience necessary to discharge the adjudicative as well as regulatory and operational oversight activi- ties for the OSC." LT For more Inside Story, please visit www.lawtimesnews.com "I SAID; 'That was a very comprehensive nondisclosure clause we just negotiated.'... uh... lobby please!" Keeping real estate transactions where they belong – in your office. ] At Stewart Title, it's how we work that sets us apart. We deal in title insurance and related products, undertaking no part of the transaction that has traditionally fallen to lawyers/notaries. Since our inception into the Canadian market, you will find that we have consistently combined comprehensive coverage with unparalleled support for lawyers/notaries. We are dedicated to streamlining your practice and increasing your revenue through our programs and innovative technology solutions. At Stewart Title, we know it's our relationship with our customers that determines our success. That's why service is the foundation of our business and integrity, the keystone in all our dealings. DUBE VAN EDMONTON, Alta. — A driver with a keen nose blew the whistle on an odd-smelling vehicle, leading police to seize 1,500 pot plants. Police in Edmonton say they got a tip from a driver follow- ing a cube van that was giving off a strong scent of marijuana. Officers responded and said they could smell the pot from more than half a block away before pulling the van over. Inside the van, police say they found 1,500 mature marijuana plants, weighing roughly 400 kilograms. They arrested the two men in the van without incident. Charges of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking have been laid against Dihn Xuan Luu, 44, and Deng Xuan Dihn, 51. GRAB THE CASH AND THE MANOLO BLAHNIKS SANTO DOMINGO, Do- minican Republic — Two men have been sentenced to three months in jail each after making off with $19,000 and two pairs of shoes from the manager of renowned French pianist Richard Clayderman. William Ignacio Diaz of ™ September 14, 2009 • Law timeS Bizarre Briefs By Viola James Chile and Cesar Antonio San- tilla of Argentina were sen- tenced to three months in pris- on while their case is reviewed. Both are 36 years old. Police say Diaz went to a hotel in Santo Domingo and claimed he lost the key to the room where a manager for Clayderman was stay- ing. Authorities say Diaz also stole three credit cards. Police did not say what role Santilla allegedly played in the theft. A HORSE WALKS INTO A BAR . . . TENNANT CREEK, Aus- tralia — An Australian man is likely the one with the long face after he lost his licence and was fined almost $1,000 for riding his horse drunk. Amongst the places the 33-year-old attempted to take the animal was into a local pub. According to reports, po- lice told the man not to ride the horse home after the inci- dent; however, with the help of another person, he saddled up and galloped down the street shouting. Police caught up to him and again told him to walk the horse home, but he rode off into the night and was arrested the next day. A Tennant Creek magistrate disqualified the man from driv- ing for six months over the inci- dent. As a result, he is not allowed to ride his horse in a public place during that period. WORST NEIGHBOUR EVER UNIONTOWN, Pa. — A man has been charged with reckless endangerment, crimi- nal mischief, and disorderly conduct after firing a one-kilo- gram cannonball into a neigh- bour's house. The man was testing out an antique cannon he had been refurbishing when he sent the projectile more than 350 metres through a win- dow. The missile crashed through a wall and ended up in a closet. No one was hurt in the incident. William Maser, 54, told lo- cal media that recreating 19th century cannons is a longtime hobby. He said he is sorry and he will stop shooting them on his property, about 60 kilome- tres southeast of Pittsburgh. A MESSY LAWSUIT WASHINGTON, D.C. — Employment law giant Littler Mendelson is being sued by a former receptionist who says she wet herself because she was not allowed a bathroom break. According to the $1.59-mil- lion lawsuit the receptionist filed, Littler "had no consistent policy or procedure as to when or how [former receptionist Rebecca] Landrith could take a restroom break." "unfounded." Littler says the claims are LT Call us today at (888) 667-5151 or visit www.stewart.ca. Untitled-8 1 www.lawtimesnews.com 9/8/09 2:43:34 PM

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