Law Times

June 23, 2008

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PAGE 16 Enabling Lawyers through Technology Tel: 416.322.6111 Toll-free: 1.866.367.7648 doprocess com www The Inside Story KUDOS TO JUSTICE LAMPKIN The Canadian Italian Advo- cates Organization held its an- nual judges night last week, and the toast of the event was recently retired Ontario Court Justice Vibert Lampkin. "His career as a judge was porters. Organizers reported that almost 800 people had confirmed for the by-invitation-only event and approximately 700 people were in attendance. The keynote address was giv- marked by his ability, courtesy, pa- tience and wit," said Louie Geno- va, CIAO's immediate past presi- dent. Genova noted in an address at the event that Lampkin issued over 300 decisions as a judge. "His style is both educating and enter- taining," said Genova. Lampkin, a native of Guyana who said he got into law after failing to qualify for medical school, spent over 25 years con- tributing to Canada's criminal jurisprudence. Lampkin received his law de- gree in 1957 from the Univer- sity of London, and practised in Guyana until moving to Canada in 1967. He went on to receive an LLM from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1977, and was appointed a judge of the Ontario Court of Justice in 1982. Apart from honouring Lamp- kin, the wine and cheese recep- tion served as a forum for the or- ganization's members and judges to socialize in an informal setting. Attendees included Chief Justice of the Ontario Court of Justice Annemarie Bonkalo. Proceeds from the event will go toward scholarship programs that CIAO sponsors at the Univer- sity of Toronto Faculty of Law, Osgoode Hall Law School, and Windsor Law School. PROFESSIONAL PRIDE Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP was the sole law firm in a group of cor- porate sponsors at the recent Pro- Pride kickoff event held at Roy Thomson Hall. FMC partner Clayton Caverly was on hand to show the firm's support. The event was organized by Pride At Work Canada, a newly formed organization which aims to eliminate discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender iden- tification existing in the workplace. The event was heavily attend- ed by members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, along with their sup- en by Gareth Henry, the leader of Jamaica's only LGBT rights organization and the interna- tional grand marshal for this year's Pride Toronto parade. Henry encouraged attendees to step up to the plate and take action in securing the rights of the LGBT community within the country and beyond. He reminded corpo- rate Canada to examine the legacy that they are leaving behind for fu- ture generations to ensure it is one of acceptance and unity. SUPPORTING UNITED WAY McCarthy Tétrault LLP has an- nounced two major contributions to the United Way. At the United Way of Can- AFFAIRS A NO-NO FOR CARBINIERI ROME — Taking a lover may be run of the mill in Italian soci- ety; however, the country's high- est court has ruled that members of its national police are barred from having affairs so as to avoid sullying the force's name. The ruling of Court of Cas- sation came from one Carabi- niere's appeal against a lower court ruling sentencing him to four months in jail for insulting and threatening to throw a desk at his boss, who had asked the policeman to break off an affair with a married woman. While the court said affairs are a private matter, it noted the military police were called to "exemplary conduct and could not bring discredit to the armed forces with extra- marital relationships." ada's annual awards celebration, the firm was recognized for rais- ing over $1 million for the char- ity through the firm's efforts across the country. "Giving back to the communi- ties in which we reside and work has always been a core value at McCarthy Tétrault," said W. Iain Scott, the chairman and CEO of the firm, in a release. "We are proud of raising over $1 million for this exceptional organization, and thank all of our practitioners and staff for their commitment and generosity." In addition to the monetary contributions, McCarthy Té- trault lawyer Antonella Ceddia has been appointed to the board of trustees for the United Way Toronto. Ceddia is an associate in the Toronto litigation group who specializes in civil litigation and human rights. "Antonella's extensive experi- ence in public policy and proven dedication to the community will be a strong asset for United Way Toronto," said Frances Lankin, the president and CEO of United Way Toronto. "Her strong guid- ance and leadership will enable us to better serve our city." Ceddia's appointment is for a three-year term. DD LT GRLBBH-02 Online bw 6/12/08 3:43 PM Page 1 LETTER PHOBIA NO DEFENCE BERLIN — A German women's appeal to have her child support benefits restored has been denied by a court that ruled her fear of official letters was an insufficient excuse for her tardiness in re- sponding to correspondence. The court in western Rhineland-Palatinate state heard that the unidentified woman was sent a letter in May 2007 asking that she supply evidence to support continued payments for her daughter. After getting no response, another was sent in July 2007 notifying her the pay- ments would be cut off and she had a month to appeal. JUNE 23, 2008 / LAW TIMES Bizarre Briefs By Viola James the nerve up until September to open the letters by which point the appeal date had passed. The woman claimed to have a psy- chological fear of official corre- spondence but was too ashamed to seek treatment. The court wasn't having any of it and said the problem was long-term and she had lots of time to take care of it so her late appeal was denied. Apparently she couldn't get CROSS-DRESSING JUDGE RESCINDS RESCISSION OF RESIGNATION BOSTON — U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Robert Somma was arrested, while wearing a dress, for drunk driving last February. He was supposed to resign BOY BREASTS NOT PRIVATE LONDON, England — The Court of Appeal Criminal Divi- son has ruled that the criminal definition of voyeurism does not include male breasts. Kevin Bassett was found guilty of voyeurism of a man after an incident in the chang- ing rooms of a local swimming pool. He appealed. Lord Justice Hughes said the main question was wheth- er the alleged victim had been doing a private act in a place which in the circumstances could reasonably be expected to provide privacy and whether since he was bare-chested and wearing trunks, breasts were exposed within the meaning of the statutory definition. Casual observation by changing-room users created no offence of voyeurism, ruled the court, even if they gained sexual gratification from what they saw. The law only applied to women's breasts. by May 15 but in April wrote a letter to a Massachusetts law newspaper saying he was hav- ing second thoughts. Somma also had a letter signed by 200 lawyers vouching for his abilities and urging the court to recon- sider its position on forcing the judge from the bench. It seems everyone decided in the end it would be better for him not to return to his judicial duties. "The United States Court of Appeals for the First Cir- cuit and Judge Robert Somma have agreed that he will not resume service on the United States Bankruptcy Court for Massachusetts but is leaving to pursue other endeavours," the Office of the Circuit Executive said in a statement. DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE GENOA, Italy — Pissed off that his girlfriend had left him, not to mention not wanting to do any of his chores himself, a man walked into a pub and allegedly kidnapped his ex-girlfriend. His motive: someone had to iron and do the dishes. A 43-year-old man has been charged with kidnapping follow- ing the incident in this port city. Witnesses in the pub said the man stormed in, grabbed the woman and then shoved her in his car and drove off. Once he got her to his home, he appar- ently threatened her then set her to do his chores. Police arrested him at the house after being tipped off by a friend of the woman who saw events unfold in the bar. LT LT For more Inside Story, please visit www.lawtimesnews.com "Allow me to introduce the Rt. Hon. William Gulperforce Gumcrunch, CV, CC, OMC, QC, LLB, PhD, FRSC. He's my mentor. " On-line Office Products at your fingertips. Choose from over 10,000 Office Products. Check out this month's flyer and coupons. 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