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2015 top news, newsmakers, and cases 7 top newsmakers IT WAS THE YEAR that discord between law- yers and Peel Regional Police seemed to reach a high point amid controversy over officers' decisions to lay criminal charges against two defence counsel. The issue began with the move to charge defence lawyer Laura Liscio with smuggling drugs into the courthouse in Brampton, Ont., after she delivered a change of clothes to a client in custody there. The Crown ended up withdrawing all charges against her later in the year, but the case sparked a host of criticism of the circumstances of her arrest. In particular, lawyers criticized the decision to arrest and handcuff her in her barrister's gown and walk her through the courthouse. The case also raised concerns about the risks faced by defence lawyers who deliver clothes to clients for their court appear- ances. In her $1.5-million lawsuit against Peel police over her arrest, Liscio noted the drugs were in a pair of shoes given to her by a friend of her client. "But for the grace of God, any of us could be caught like that if we're not alert to checking the clothing," said Joseph Neuberger, then president of the Toronto Lawyers Association, after Liscio's arrest in February. The case preceded another high- profile matter involving Peel police and defence lawyer Leora Shemesh. In May, police charged Shemesh with perjury and obstruction of justice. While police wouldn't provide details and none of the allegations has been proven in court, word around the criminal bar suggested the case may have had something to do with the existence of video showing alleged misconduct by a Peel officer. Amid questions about the existence of the video, several criminal lawyers had begun seeking to obtain it for their own matters involving the officer. According to the Toronto Star, the charge against Shem- esh related to a 2013 matter in which the Crown asked for an adjournment after Shemesh raised serious concerns about the case. The concerns related to a wit- ness who turned out to be the officer in question, the Star reported. Defence bar rallies around counsel charged by Peel police Rancour grows amid two controversies BY GLENN KAUTH ARE YOU RECEIVING CANADIAN LEGAL NEWSWIRE? Keep abreast of legal news STMRMSRWERHEREP]WMW with our electronic newswire. VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.CANADIANLAWYERMAG.COM AND LOOK UNDER "LINKS" SIGN UP FOR FREE From the publisher of and Untitled-5 1 2015-09-16 2:32 PM