Law Times

PAGE 16 Enabling Lawyers through Technology Tel: 416.322.6111 Toll-free: 1.866.367.7648 Real Estate • Corporate • Estates www doprocess com The Inside Story NO POLITICAL AGENDA FOR ARBOUR It may not have been quite as rau- cous as the welcome for a rock star but the 800 mostly women attend- ing LEAF's annual Person's Day breakfast were really enthusiastic in their welcome for Louise Arbour. Arbour, who has recently left her post as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said one of the biggest shocks she had when she started that job was how "at the back of the bus" gender equality was on the international scene. Gender discrimination is one of the greatest human rights is- sues in the world. And she said she found the resistance by UN members to dealing with it "ab- solutely stunning," particularly coming from Canada, which has had a strong drive for gender equality that has laid the ground- work for other equality seeking groups in this country. Frustration was her constant companion as the high commis- sioner, she noted. "It was a hugely frustrating she's not jumped directly from job to job, so she wants to take some time to decide on her next move. "It's my gap year," she joked. However, she did qualify that "national political life doesn't hold much of an attraction to me." YORK U HONOURS JUSTICE LAFORME York University was set to honour Ontario Court of Appeal Justice Harry LaForme over the weekend with an honorary doctor of laws. "In bestowing honorary doc- torates on these three individuals, we're recognizing their contribu- tions to their respective disci- plines and to Canadian society," said York University chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri, in an- nouncing the group of recipients that included LaForme. "We hope they will inspire our Graduates to approach their own careers with the same determina- tion and passion, and to put what they have learned into practice for the betterment of all." LaForme — a 1977 Osgoode job," she said, adding many politi- cal systems in the world are openly hostile to human rights agendas. Despite all the rhetoric of inter- national governments, she found little welcome on the ground. "As an international actor it is difficult to penetrate the intimate relationship between government and its people," she said. Looking back, Arbour noted the UN has all the right principles and standards in place to amelio- rate problems in the world but on the ground, the implementation is very weak. Not to mention the great resistance to change she and the commission faced even from members of the UN Human Rights Council. When asked by CBC News- world host and breakfast emcee Suhana Meharchand if she was going to get into politics now that she was back in Canada, Arbour quipped back: "When I finish un- packing, I'll let you know." It's the first time in a very long time, noted the former Supreme Court of Canada justice, that SUIT AGAINST GOD THROWN OUT OMAHA, Neb. — You can't sue God because he doesn't have an address. That according to Douglas County District Court Judge Marlon Polk, who tossed out a Nebraska legislator's law- suit against the Holy One. State Senator Ernie Chambers was seeking a permanent injunc- tion against God, who he said had made threats against him- self and his constituents. Cham- bers claimed God inspired fear and caused "widespread death, destruction and terrorization of millions upon millions of the Earth's inhabitants." Apparently the senator was try- ing to make a point that everyone should have access to the courts whether they are rich or poor. But the court was having none of this showboating. "Given that this court finds OctOber 20, 2008 • Law times Bizarre Briefs By Viola James ADR, CAMBODIAN STYLE PHNOM PENH — Talk about division of property. A Cambo- dian couple didn't want the has- sle of dealing with the country's convoluted divorce process so they just sawed their house in half. Husband Moeun Rim and wife Nhanh divided their house, about 90 kilometres north-east of the capital, Phnom Penh, into two parts last month. "They agreed to split the house into two parts. The part that belongs to the husband has been removed, but the one that belongs to the wife is standing upright there. She stays there during the daytime," Cheach commune chief Vorng Morn told Agence France-Presse. He said the couple, who are Hall Law School graduate — was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2004, making him the first aboriginal person to sit on any appellate court in Canadian history. Upon graduation from Osgoode and being called to the bar in 1979, he began specializ- ing in aboriginal law, with a con- centration on matters involving the Constitution and Charter of Rights and Freedoms. LaForme has spoken on behalf of Canadian aboriginal interests in Switzerland, New Zealand, and the British parliament. He also spent nearly 20 years on Os- goode's alumni board or directors. He currently is serving as chair- man of the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Canada. York also honoured Canadi- an business leader and philan- thropist Anthony Arrell and David Broadfoot, a humour- ist, writer, performer, producer, and director. LT STG_05_LT_BaseBar 8/16/06 8:52 AM Page 1 For more Inside Story, please visit www.lawtimesnews.com "But what about the migratory patterns of the fish? Isn't that under federal jurisdiction?" 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 legal professionals. Since our inception into the Canadian market, you will find that we have consistently combined comprehensive coverage with unparalleled support for legal professionals. 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. Contact us today at (888) 667-5151 or visit www.stewart.ca. www.lawtimesnews.com that there can never be service ef- fectuated on the named defend- ant this action will be dismissed with prejudice," Polk wrote. Chambers, who went to law school but never wrote the bar, thinks he's found a hole in the judge's ruling. "The court itself ac- knowledges the existence of God," Chambers said. "A consequence of that acknowledgment is a recogni- tion of God's omniscience." Therefore, "Since God knows everything, God has notice of this lawsuit." both around 40, decided to split after the husband accused the wife of not taking care of him when he was ill. FACING THE MUSIC CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Andrew Vactor loves rap music but he was fined $150 for blasting it too loudly on his car stereo. However, last week Cham- paign County Municipal Court Judge Susan Fornof-Lippencott offered to reduce the fine to $35 if Vactor spent 20 hours listening to the soothing sounds of Bach, Beethoven, and Chopin. Vactor, 24, agreed but according to his probation officer only last- ed about 15 minutes. The quick exit was due to having to be at basketball practice rather than the music not being his scene. "I didn't have the time to deal with that," he said. "I just decided to pay the fine." Fornof-Lippencott says the idea was to force Vactor to lis- ten to something he might not prefer, just as other people had no choice but to listen to his loud rap music. She's also taped TV shows for defendants in other cases to watch on topics such as financial responsibility. As she sees it, they get the chance to have their fine reduced "and at the same time broaden their horizons." RUI IS THE NEW DUI BRISBANE, Australia — Mal- colm Willis went on a bender but he didn't get back into his car afterwards to drive home, in- stead he hopped up on his trusty steed Jack for the one-kilometre trip home. He thought he was doing the right thing as he al- ready was facing a three-year sus- pension for drunk driving. Well along the way, it all got a bit out of control and it took about 10 police officers, in four cars, to rein in Willis and Jack. The cops administered a breathalyzer test, which re- turned a blood-alcohol read- ing of 0.15, The Townsville Bulletin reported. The 22-year-old man pleaded guilty in Mount Isa Magistrates Court and was fined $900. Willis said he didn't know riding a horse intoxicated was an offence and was flabbergast- ed at how seriously the crime was treated. LT Confidential

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