Law and justice

British Columbia’s provincial flag flies on a flag pole in Ottawa, Friday, July 3, 2020. New provincial family court rules in British Columbia meant to resolve legal matters without going to court have been called “effective” by the province, but some lawyers and advocates say they don’t adequately address the needs of victims of intimate partner violence. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

B.C. family court mediation not adequate for domestic violence victims: advocates

Groups caution mediation process risks repeating power imbalances

British Columbia’s provincial flag flies on a flag pole in Ottawa, Friday, July 3, 2020. New provincial family court rules in British Columbia meant to resolve legal matters without going to court have been called “effective” by the province, but some lawyers and advocates say they don’t adequately address the needs of victims of intimate partner violence. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
British Columbia’s provincial flag flies in Ottawa, Friday July 3, 2020. The provincial government is expanding legal aid in British Columbia as part of its 2022 budget.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

B.C. allocates more than $8 million to boost legal-aid services

Funding follows recent analysis of the province’s legal-aid system

British Columbia’s provincial flag flies in Ottawa, Friday July 3, 2020. The provincial government is expanding legal aid in British Columbia as part of its 2022 budget.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Nuchatlaht First Nation elder and councillor Archie Little, centre, and Tyee Ha’with (Chief) Jordan Michael, far left, stand with supporters outside B.C. Supreme Court before the start of an Indigenous land title case, in Vancouver, on Monday, March 21, 2022. The lawsuit brought by the First Nation seeks to reclaim part of its territory on Nootka Island, off the west coast of Vancouver Island. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. First Nation’s land rights claim is about reconciliation, lawyer tells court

Lawsuit says government effectively dispossessed Nuchatlaht nation of territory on Vancouver Island

Nuchatlaht First Nation elder and councillor Archie Little, centre, and Tyee Ha’with (Chief) Jordan Michael, far left, stand with supporters outside B.C. Supreme Court before the start of an Indigenous land title case, in Vancouver, on Monday, March 21, 2022. The lawsuit brought by the First Nation seeks to reclaim part of its territory on Nootka Island, off the west coast of Vancouver Island. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The B.C. Supreme Court is shown in Vancouver, on Jan. 21, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. Supreme Court to hear lawsuit over First Nation’s land rights

Suit names federal, provincial governments, logging firm Western Forest Products as a defendant

The B.C. Supreme Court is shown in Vancouver, on Jan. 21, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Currently, the only available remedy when a court case is deemed to have taken too long is a stay of proceedings. (Image courtesy Creative Outlet)

Courts will have to consider reasonableness of delays during COVID-19, experts say

Backlog created by the pandemic is causing officials to rethink what constitutes reasonable delays

Currently, the only available remedy when a court case is deemed to have taken too long is a stay of proceedings. (Image courtesy Creative Outlet)
Actor Jussie Smollett speaks to Judge James Linn after his sentence is read at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Chicago. Smollett maintained his innocence during his sentencing hearing Thursday after a judge sentenced the former “Empire” actor to 150 days in jail for lying to police about a racist and homophobic attack that he orchestrated himself. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune via AP, Pool)

Jussie Smollett sentenced to 150 days in jail in fake attack

Sentence ends 3 years of legal drama following claim of a racist and homophobic attack

Actor Jussie Smollett speaks to Judge James Linn after his sentence is read at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Chicago. Smollett maintained his innocence during his sentencing hearing Thursday after a judge sentenced the former “Empire” actor to 150 days in jail for lying to police about a racist and homophobic attack that he orchestrated himself. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune via AP, Pool)
People stand on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday, Feb.11, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

US Supreme Court won’t review decision that freed Bill Cosby

The high court declined to review a June Pennsylvania decision that released Cosby from prison

People stand on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday, Feb.11, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)
FILE - In this Sept. 30, 2021 file photo, a wooden Puerto Rican flag is displayed on the dock of the Condado lagoon in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti, File)

Arrest of longtime B.C. fugitive stuns Puerto Rico

Conor Vincent D’Monte’s arrest in connection to B.C gangster activity ‘like a Netflix story’

FILE - In this Sept. 30, 2021 file photo, a wooden Puerto Rican flag is displayed on the dock of the Condado lagoon in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti, File)
Allan Schoenborn is shown in this sketch attending a British Columbia Review Board in Coquitlam, B.C. on Thursday March 12, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Felicity Don

B.C. Review Board considers hospital discretion over Schoenborn community leave

Schoenborn found not criminally responsible in the 2008 deaths of his three children

Allan Schoenborn is shown in this sketch attending a British Columbia Review Board in Coquitlam, B.C. on Thursday March 12, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Felicity Don
Craig James, former clerk of the B.C. legislative assembly, arrives back at B.C. Supreme Court after a break from his trial, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. A special prosecutor says British Columbia’s former clerk of the legislative assembly used public funds to enrich himself in “glaring and egregious” ways during closing arguments. James’s defence is expected to present its case Wednesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Defence says no evidence of corruption in B.C. Legislature clerk fraud trial

Craig James pleaded not guilty to two counts of fraud over $5,000 and one count of breach of trust

Craig James, former clerk of the B.C. legislative assembly, arrives back at B.C. Supreme Court after a break from his trial, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. A special prosecutor says British Columbia’s former clerk of the legislative assembly used public funds to enrich himself in “glaring and egregious” ways during closing arguments. James’s defence is expected to present its case Wednesday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
People listen to a sermon delivered by a pastor from the back of a flatbed truck parked on Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill as a protest on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Judge dismisses bid to halt federal emergency measures, calling issue moot

Group had asked for an injunction to stay Liberal use of the emergencies law and associated measures

People listen to a sermon delivered by a pastor from the back of a flatbed truck parked on Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill as a protest on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Craig James, former clerk of the British Columbia legislature, leaves B.C. Supreme Court on Jan. 26, 2022. Former Speaker of the legislature, Bill Barisoff is testifying at the trial of James, who has pleaded not guilty to two counts of fraud over $5,000 and three counts of breach of trust by a public officer in relation to allegations that he used his position for personal gain. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

‘Glaring and egregious’: Closing arguments underway in B.C. clerk case

Fraud, breach of trust case against former clerk of the legislative assembly Craig James wrapping up

Craig James, former clerk of the British Columbia legislature, leaves B.C. Supreme Court on Jan. 26, 2022. Former Speaker of the legislature, Bill Barisoff is testifying at the trial of James, who has pleaded not guilty to two counts of fraud over $5,000 and three counts of breach of trust by a public officer in relation to allegations that he used his position for personal gain. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
People who have declared themselves “Land Defenders” sing a song as they guard an area of a logging cut block called “Heli Camp” in the Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew, B.C. Monday, Oct. 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Second judge to consider stay application of old-growth logging protesters in B.C.

More than 1,100 people have been arrested since Fairy Creek watershed blockade injunction

People who have declared themselves “Land Defenders” sing a song as they guard an area of a logging cut block called “Heli Camp” in the Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew, B.C. Monday, Oct. 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
A sex trade worker is pictured in downtown Vancouver, on June, 3, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Proposed class-action lawsuit in B.C. seeks permanent deletion of sex-work records

Suit states disclosure of sex-work records can have adverse consequences

A sex trade worker is pictured in downtown Vancouver, on June, 3, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
FILE - Actor Alec Baldwin attends the 2019 PEN America Literary Gala In New York on May 21, 2019. Attorneys for the family of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was shot and killed on the set of the film “Rust,” say they’re suing Baldwin and the movie’s producers for wrongful death. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

Actor Alec Baldwin sued by family of cinematographer killed on set

Baldwin’s attorney responded that any claim the actor was reckless is ‘entirely false’

FILE - Actor Alec Baldwin attends the 2019 PEN America Literary Gala In New York on May 21, 2019. Attorneys for the family of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was shot and killed on the set of the film “Rust,” say they’re suing Baldwin and the movie’s producers for wrongful death. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)
Fresh cut sawdust is seen from a tree cut near the “heli camp” in the Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew, B.C., Monday, Oct. 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Crown calls application to stay charges in B.C. old-growth logging case flawed

Lawyer: Fairy Creek protest group’s petition lacks ‘factual foundation,’ not the way justice is done

Fresh cut sawdust is seen from a tree cut near the “heli camp” in the Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew, B.C., Monday, Oct. 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
The clouds move among the old growth forest in the Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew, B.C. Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. forest protest accused ask court to stay charges due to ’ systemic police misconduct’

RCMP have made close to 1,200 arrests enforcing Fairy Creek injunction

The clouds move among the old growth forest in the Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew, B.C. Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
David Andrew Riddell

Former Maple Ridge lawyer banned from practising law for 10 years

David Andrew Riddell pled guilty in 2019 to the possession of child pornography

David Andrew Riddell
Speaker of the House Darryl Plecas walks by at the provincial Legislature in Victoria, Oct. 24, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

B.C. Speaker, adviser yelled at staff during misspending investigation: James trial

Then-acting sergeant-at-arms testifed he was screamed at like a dog

Speaker of the House Darryl Plecas walks by at the provincial Legislature in Victoria, Oct. 24, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Speaker Linda Reid enters B.C. legislature chamber for throne speech, led by former sergeant-at-arms Gary Lenz and followed by legislature clerk Craig James, June 26, 2013. (Chad Hipolito/The Canadian Press)

No parking for wood splitter at centre of case against former B.C. clerk, court hears

Splitter acquisition discussed because of potential usefulness in a storm and power outage

Speaker Linda Reid enters B.C. legislature chamber for throne speech, led by former sergeant-at-arms Gary Lenz and followed by legislature clerk Craig James, June 26, 2013. (Chad Hipolito/The Canadian Press)