Law Week is a nation-wide event held in April of every year to commemorate the anniversary of the proclamation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It is sponsored by the Canadian Bar Association, a professional organization representing lawyers, judges and notaries. The goal of Law Week is to improve the public’s understanding of the legal system.
This year’s Law Week events include the following opportunities for high school students:
1. Barry Sullivan Law Cup for Public Speaking;
2. Student Outreach Program;
3. Public Forum; and,
4. Cover Art Competition
More information and entry forms can be found at:
www.bclawweek.org
or by emailing Julie Rankin at jrankin@bccba.org
1. Barry Sullivan Law Cup
Students in Grades 10, 11 and 12 are invited to compete in the annual Barry Sullivan Law Cup for Public Speaking. The competition is sponsored by the Canadian Bar Association (CBABC) and will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 8, 2010 in the heritage courtrooms at the Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby Street in Vancouver, BC. Depending on the number of students participating, approximately ten students will be selected for the finals, which will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 8th, 2010.
Deadline for submissions is March 26th, 2010.
The winner will receive a cash scholarship of $1500.00 and will be awarded the Barry Sullivan Cup. Second prize is $250.00, and third prize is $150.00. The finalists will be judged by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia, the Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of British Columbia, and a law professor from the University of British Columbia Law School.
2. Student Outreach Program
The Student Outreach Program has been a part of Law Week for many years and has been well received by the lawyers, judges, teachers and students who have participated in it. The program is designed for Highschool Social Studies and Law Classes. It gives students an excellent opportunity to explore law as a career option. We have many lawyers interested in participating in the program and encourage any interested teachers to contact Preetpal Bhamra at preetpal.bhamra@blakes.com
This year’s program will involve arranging for a lawyer and possibly a judge to attend the school classroom. We will distribute a set of “You Be the Judge” scenarios that will allow your students to interact with the speaker concerning real cases. In addition, he or she will answer the students’ questions and provide insight on what it is actually like to practice law. He or she will also discuss the necessary education and training to become a lawyer and/or judge. We anticipate that the lawyer/judge would be available for approximately one hour of classroom time, but this is subject to individual arrangement with the speaker assigned.
3. Public Forum
One of the most important events of Law Week is the Public Forum. At the Public Forum, people are free to ask an eminent legal panel any questions they may have about the justice system. This year’s forum will be hosted by Ian Hanomansing, television journalist with the CBC. The panellists will include the Chief Justice of the British Columbia Court of Appeal, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia, the Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of British Columbia and senior representatives of the RCMP and the Vancouver Police Department. We are also hoping that the Attorney General is able to attend as he has in the past. This year’s topic, “Access to Justice: Justice for All”, is expected to foster much debate.
The Public Forum will take place on April 17, 2010, at the Vancouver Public Library, located at 350 West Georgia Street, Vancouver.
If students from your school wish to attend the Public Forum but the cost of transportation is an issue, the Canadian Bar Association may be able to assist. In addition, reserved seating may be arranged. Please do not hesitate to send an e-mail to Meghan Maddigan mmaddigan@kuhnco.net) if you wish to make reservations, discuss transportation, or receive more details.
4. Cover Art Competition
BC students in grades 8 – 12 are invited to use their creativity and get their opinion about Access to Justice in British Columbia heard. Students are encouraged to submit their original artwork and design the Cover Art for BarTalk magazine read by 11,000 Legal Professionals in BC. For an entry form or more information please contact Julie Rankin at jrankin@bccba.org