Law Times

PAGE 20 u BIZARRE BRIEFS By Viola James CHEFS DECRY BLOWFISH DEREGULATION TOKYO — It seems hard to argue against regulat- ing the preparation of poisonous foods. For more than six decades, in fact, dicing $12,000 tip police seized from her. They now plan to give it back to her, her attorney said. Stacy Knutson, a server at the Fryn' Pan blowfish in Tokyo has been the preserve of a small band of strictly regulated and licensed chefs, usually in exclusive restaurants. But according to Reuters, new laws coming into effect are opening the lucrative trade to restau- rants without a licence. "We have spent time and money in order to obtain and use the blowfish licence, but with these new rules anybody can handle blowfish even without a licence, a blowfish chef for some 30 years. "They're saying it' in parts of the blowfish, including the liver, heart, intestines, and eyes, and is so intense that a tiny amount will kill. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government says The poison, known as tetrodotoxin, is found " city laws covering the serving of blowfish should change and hopes that relaxing the rules will cut prices and bring Tokyo in line with the rest of the nation. "Outside of Tokyo, the regulations for blowfish are even more relaxed and yet there are hardly any poison-related accidents," said Hironobu Kondo, an official at the city' blowfish is far from cheap as diners pay for the safety of a licensed chef. At Hashimoto' rant, a meal costs at least 10,000 yen ($120) a person. According to Reuters, a full-course meal of s restau- s food control department. POLICE TO RETURN $12K TIP MOORHEAD, Minn. — Was the money a tip for good service or potentially related to a drug offence? According to Reuters, those were among the questions as a waitress sought the return of a We licensed chefs feel this way of thinking is a bit strange. " said Naohito Hashimoto, s now OK to serve blowfish. Restaurant in Moorhead, got the tip back in November from a customer who left a takeout box inside the restaurant. Knutson followed the customer out to the parking lot and tried to give her the box, but the woman told her to keep it. When Knutson opened it, she found $12,000 in cash, Reuters reported. Knutson, a mother of five, called local police and turned in the cash as lost property. At first, police said the cash would be hers if it remained unclaimed for 60 days, according to the lawsuit Knutson filed against the department. At the end of the 60 days, however, the depart- ment told Knutson she'd have to wait another 30 days to get the money. Then police told her she wouldn't receive the money at all because it smelled of marijuana and had been seized under a state law. Police offered Knutson $1,000 as a reward for the department has changed its mind and will return the $12,000 to her. turning the cash in. She refused the reward and filed suit. Now, however, her lawyer Craig Richie says FUGITIVE STAYS IN TOUCH ON FACEBOOK PORT ANGELES, Wash. — You wouldn't think updating your Facebook profile would be a prior- ity for someone on the run from the cops. But according to Reuters, Travis Nicolaysen, 26, was still updating his Facebook page until a few days ago. "Cops all over you, Nicolaysen's wall after a foot chase by the police on April 4. "[Y]a got away thanks bro," Nicolaysen " one friend posted on replied the day after. What Nicolaysen doesn't say in his Facebook updates is that he's wanted for a parole violation. He's also in trouble for allegedly assaulting his LT girlfriend in March. April 16, 2012 • lAw Times u The INSIDE STORY PRO BONO PROGRAM LAUNCHED AT RYERSON Miller Thomson LLP, Ryerson Universi- ty, the Ryerson Students' Union, and Pro Bono Law Ontario are teaming up to offer pro bono legal services to students. The services will be available to full- and part-time students through a monthly legal clinic and will focus on business startups, employment law, personal tax, and con- sumer issues. Lawyers from Miller Thomson will also Gerald Courage oversee teams of Ryerson commerce students who will provide advice to student entrepreneurs. "Many students face uncertainties surrounding the legal implica- tions of money, taxes, and employment," said Gerald Courage, chair- man of Miller Thomson. "This effort will provide important guidance for students working hard to keep their studies on track and supports young entrepreneurs. Offering legal services to students on a pro bono basis is part of our overall effort to support this country's future busi- ness and civic leaders." The clinics take place on the third Thursday of each month. NEW APPEAL COURT JUDGES APPOINTED Justice Minister Rob Nicholson made two appointments to the Ontario Court of Appeal last week. Superior Court Justice Ed- ward Ducharme, regional se- nior region, and Justice Sarah Pep- all are joining the appeal court bench. Ducharme replaces Jus- tice Michael Moldaver, while Pepall takes the spot of Justice Andromache Karakatsanis. Moldaver and Karakatsanis moved to the Supreme Court of Canada last year. Other appointments include judge for the southwest Justice James Turnbull, who becomes regional senior judge for the Superior Court' south region as of April 30. He replaces Justice Stephen Glithe- ro, who now becomes a puisne judge of the Superior Court in Simcoe, Ont. Lastly, Siskinds LLP lawyer s central Denise Korpan joins the Superi- or Court' don, Ont. She replaces Justice M.E. Marshman, who became a supernumerary judge last year. s family division in Lon- YORK NIXES CIGI DEAL York University won't proceed with plans to establish a program in international partnership with the Centre for International Governance In- novation. York vice president Patrick law through a "Good thing our mandatory retirement policy has a non-compete clause! Doesn't it?" tablish the program without the "necessary support" of faculty. Over the past several months, Monahan made the announce- ment in light of the university's conclusion that it couldn't es- York and CIGI worked on a partnership agreement to set up a graduate program in interna- tional law along with 10 chairs and funding for 20 students. Several members of the uni- versity's faculty had spoken out against the corporate partnership due to concerns over the impact on academic freedom. "We know for this initiative to be successful, however, it re- quired broad support from the university, Hall Law School," said Mona- han. "The outcome of the Os- goode faculty council meeting today indicates that the neces- sary support is not present and, accordingly, we cannot proceed. including Osgoode " CBA SEEKING NOMINEES The Canadian Bar Association is calling for nominees for its John Tait Award of Excellence. The award recognizes the accomplishments of a public- sector lawyer or law office that has made significant contribu- tions to social justice and com- munity affairs. The deadline for nominations is April 30. For more informa- tion, see cba.org. REAL ESTATE SUMMIT THIS WEEK The annual real estate law sum- mit takes place this week at the University of Toronto. The two-day program will cover issues related to small de- velopers, business owners, buy- ers and sellers of residential and recreational property, mortgage lenders, and borrowers. For more information, see LT lsuc.on.ca. The title insurer that puts you front row, centre Putting the legal community front and centre has made us the #1 choice with Canadian lawyers for over a decade. Stewart Title does not support programs that reduce or eliminate the lawyer's role in real estate transactions. For more information call (888) 667-5151 or visit www.stewart.ca. Untitled-2 1 www.lawtimesnews.com 7/19/11 12:31:45 PM

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