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PAGE 2 NEWS OCTOBER 31, 2011 • LAW TIMES Access to justice on new AG's agenda BY KENDYL SEBESTA Law Times F ollowing on a long career in law and politics, new Attorney General John Gerretsen has access to justice on his agenda as he takes on his latest position in government. "I've practised law — everything from family to civil to real estate — for over 20 years, so I'm familiar with most aspects of law in that regard," says Gerret- sen. "I've always been concerned with one question in particular, though, and that is how do people get access to the system and how do they access it in an expedited fashion. I know there have been great im- provements in that area and I hope to continue those while also working to create more." Th e seasoned politician became Ontario's new at- torney general after Premier Dalton McGuinty an- nounced his 22-member cabinet on Oct. 20. "It's a great honour and a privilege," says Gerretsen of his new appointment. Gerretsen notes he hopes to focus on improving ac- cess to justice while continuing the work of his pre- decessor, Chris Bentley, who has now become energy minister, to improve Ontario's justice system. Th e 69-year-old politician won re-election in this month's provincial election. After practising law in Kingston, Ont., Gerretsen served for a time as a Small Claims Court deputy judge. He has been MPP for Kingston and the Is- lands since 1995 and has since held portfolios including municipal aff airs, environment, and consumer services. "For me, it's always been about access to the system . . . and about working to get that sort of access while keeping in mind the principles of our judicial system," he says of his new role. Asked about his specifi c plans for his new job, Gerretsen isn't saying much. Instead, he says he needs time to be de- briefed. While he says he understands the general issues around matters like Justice on Target, legal aid, and the state of court resources, he's not giving any offi cial comments on them yet. Th e government launched Justice on Target in June 'It's a great honour and a privi- lege,' says John Gerretsen of his new role. 2008. Th e goal was to decrease delays in criminal mat- ters and thereby enable the courts to focus on more serious and complex cases, according to the Ministry of the Attorney General. But statistical data for criminal proceedings show that timelines for dealing with criminal cases have de- creased only slightly since the pro- gram began. Th e small decrease has caused some judges and lawyers to express concerns about the program, the pace of results, and the impact it could have on cases. Gerretsen also off ered little insight on the family law reforms introduced this year except to say that "the inter- ests of the children should always be paramount." He notes he has a goal in mind in this area but needs more time before elaborating on it. Gerretsen and Bentley join the ranks of 20 other cabinet mem- bers announced by McGuinty this month. Other notable appointments included Jim Bradley as minister of the environment, Brad Duguid as minister of economic development and innovation, and Harinder Takhar as minister of government services. GAIN COMMAND AS LAWYER-NEGOTIATOR IN ANY COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE DEAL NEW EDITION THE ART OF THE REAL ESTATE DEAL, 3RD EDITION BARRY D. LIPSON, Q.C. Commercial real estate deals all share the same key elements – determining price, negotiating, and structuring the deal. Gain command as lawyer-negotiator in the deal-making process with The Art of the Real Estate Deal, 3rd Edition. This clearly and concisely written guide consolidates the various aspects of commercial real estate transactions in one volume. 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