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PAGE 20 WillBuilder Tel: 416.322.6111 Toll-free: 1.866.367.7648 doprocess com ntitled-7 1 The Reinventing the Will www 1/26/09 3:38:37 PM Inside Story LCO TARGETS FAMILY LAW Reacting to expected societal challenges during the economic downturn, the Law Commission of Ontario has launched a new project that aims to identify best practices for early in the family law dispute resolution process. LCO executive director Patri- abuse, spousal abuse and its ef- fects on children, young offend- ers, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. cia Hughes said in a release, "One of the major benefits of this proj- ect is its potential for improving the family law system for Ontario's more vulnerable populations." The LCO said family law cri- ses usually rise during tough eco- nomic times, while the resources to deal with them dwindle. "Most people do not think about 'law' until they face a fam- ily crisis," said the commission. "It is therefore more important than ever to evaluate the effec- tiveness of family dispute reso- lution processes and ensure that they are to all Ontarians." The project — which will identify ways to make justice services more efficient, quicker, and cheaper — is expected to take 18 months to complete. The commission plans to hold public consultations, conduct research, and seek advice from family law organizations. QUEEN'S PROF NABS AWARD Queen's University Faculty of Law Prof. Nicholas Bala is this year's recipient of the Ontario Bar Association Award for Ex- cellence in Family Law. "Throughout his legal career, CRIME LESS SERIOUS Statistics Canada's new police- reported crime severity index suggests criminal acts in 2007 were less serious compared to those taking place in 1998. In 2007, the index for over- all crime was 94.6, a drop from 119.1 in 1998, according to the report. That indicates that the severity of crime went down by about 20 per cent. The 10-year decline was led by a 40-per-cent reduction in break-ins. The agency also reported that the traditional police-reported crime rate, used to gauge the vol- ume of police-reported crime, ex- perienced a more moderate drop over the same period. That num- ber fell by 15 per cent, according to the study. CBA WANTS FIJI RESPONSE The Canadian government must take a stance against the "rapid deterioration" of the rule of law in Fiji, where military control has led to a suspension of the consti- tution and the dismissal of judg- es, according to the Canadian Bar Association. "We believe it professor Bala has been a leader in teaching and advancing fam- ily law in our province and across North America," said OBA fam- ily law section chairman Tom Dart, in a release. "His contributions to the body of law, legal education, and his community are truly remarkable." The award, which will be pre- sented to Bala at a June 10 cer- emony in Toronto, goes to some- one who has made exceptional contributions and achievements in various aspects of family law. Bala has been a professor at Queen's since 1980, and is an ex- pert on family and children's law. His research focuses on parental rights and responsibilities after divorce, child witnesses and child The CBA sent a letter to For- eign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon, expressing its support for a statement from the Com- monwealth Lawyers Associa- tion calling on leaders in Fiji to reinstate the constitution at once. The situation has wors- ened since that letter was issued, said the CBA. The CBA's letter notes that an independent judiciary and independent legal profession are key aspects of a functional soci- ety in which citizens' rights are respected. that the Canadian government act now to help forestall a hu- manitarian crisis which inevitably follows such deep disrespect for a country's laws and legal system," said CBA president Guy Jou- bert, in a release. is imperative LT For more Inside Story, please visit www.lawtimesnews.com WHICH DIRECTION IS BEST FOR YOU? RainMaker Group 110 Yonge Street, Suite 1101 Toronto, Ontario M5C 1T4 Untitled-7 1 Tel: 416-863-9543 Fax: 416-863-9757 www.rainmakergroup.ca www.lawtimesnews.com 5/29/08 1:05:49 PM on a web cam set up to watch a family of eagles (www.looduskal ender.ee/en/). Internet surfers who were watching the feed contacted authorities to say they' EAGLE EYES ARE WATCHIN' TALLINN, Estonia — Wood thieves in Estonia found out the hard way that there are eyes ev- erywhere in the modern world. The two thieves were caught the area of the eagle nest in cen- tral Estonia, Raivo Vadi, head of the local environmental inspec- torate, told reporters. Rangers were dispatched to the site and caught two men felling trees without a licence, he said. They now face a fine for theft d heard a sawing noise in and could get into hot water for disturbing the eagles, because it is illegal to approach a nesting area between March and August. Estonia is a small nation of 1.3 million people and massive tracts of forest. It is however, also one of the most Internet-wired places in the world, earning the nickname "E-Stonia." IMAGINE, OFFICE LIGHTS ON DOWNTOWN! CHICAGO — You can just imagine Katie Tarbox's confusion when she moved in to her 37th floor condo in downtown Chica- go and the office building across the road still had lights on when she went to bed! While she did pay almost US$1 million for her swanky new pad in the Trump Inter- national Hotel and Tower, she ™ April 27, 2009 • lAw Times Bizarre Briefs By Viola James apparently thought it would all go dark in time for her to get a little shut-eye. "Think of it like having a huge, permanent night light on all the time," she lamented in the Chicago Tribune. "It's just a com- plete waste of energy." The paper reports the maga- zine editor did not sleep a wink that first night but has since resorted to wearing two sets of eye masks. Turns out many floors that Galaxy Cleaners, where he bran- dished his sword and demanded all the money in the cash regis- ter. He was foiled again when the clerk told him she couldn't open the drawer. Police say they are still looking for this would-be-thief. THERE'S A CHEAPER WAY TO GET RID OF IT UKIAH, Calif. — Apparently the police in Mendocino Coun- ty are quite adamant that medi- cal marijuana growers keep to their quotas. Last week, County supervi- are illuminated 24 hours a day across the street at 330 N. Wa- bash are actually the home of law firm Jenner & Block, where legalists slave away at all hours of the day and night. The Tribune reports she has a complaint with the lodged Trump staff — the only one the company says it has received. Until the situation gets resolved, Tarbox has two words for guests: Wear sunglasses. I say, get some curtains. KEEPING A NOT-SO-LOW PROFILE WEYMOUTH, Mass. — It sounds like a joke: A man walks into a convenience store dressed like a ninja and carrying a sword. But it actually happened in this Massachusetts town. The store clerk quickly called the cops about the man who was also wearing a mask. According to police, when the man noticed her, he pulled his mask off and asked if she was calling about him, police said. She said she was and the faux- ninja left and went to the nearby sors voted 3-2 to add eradication fees to the county's medical mari- juana ordinance. That means any growers caught with excess weed will have to pay for it to be de- stroyed. The county has restrict- ed the number of medical mari- juana plants individual patients may possess to six adult plants or 12 immature plants. Practically any of the growers will say they can get rid of their excess without having to spend a cent. There may even be lineups. DUDE SETTLES HOOTERS SUIT CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Nickolai Grushevski sued the Hooters restaurant chain claim- ing discrimination for not hiring him as a server because he didn't have the right "tools." The chain, famous for its chicken wings and busty female servers, settled the suit with Grushevski. The terms are confidential. "My client is glad he went forward, and glad he stood up for his rights," said Martin Shell- ist, the Houston-based attorney for Grushevski. The suit sought emotional and punitive damages. LT Seen, heard, or been involved in a bizarre brief? Tell Viola James about it at viola.james@gmail. com.