CBABC President speaks with The Lawyer's Daily about Bills 20 & 22 May 17, 2018 Several lawyers organizations are raising the alarm about the B.C. government’s changes to the provincially owned Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC), with one group even saying the changes may not pass constitutional muster.
‘ICBC dumpster fire’ draws heat from CBA, Trial Lawyers of B.C. April 30, 2018 British Columbia Attorney General David Eby's proposal last week to amend two provincial statutes in a bid to douse the Insurance Corporation of B.C.'s financial “dumpster fire” has drawn heat from the Canadian Bar Association B.C. Branch and the Trial Lawyers Association of B.C.
First budget from B.C. NDP injects cash into legal services February 22, 2018 “These are material increases in funding that will improve access to justice for many within the province, including those in indigenous, rural and remote communities,” said Bill Veenstra, president of the Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch.
Legal aid boost in eye of beholder February 21, 2018 B.C. Attorney General David Eby is getting kudos from the Legal Services Society for funding hikes announced in Tuesday’s provincial budget, but other justice stakeholders say the NDP is continuing to beggar legal aid.
Legal aid funding in BC budget doesn't cover demand for services February 21, 2018 CBABC President Bill Veenstra spoke with Stephen Quinn on CBC Radio's The Early Edition about the legal aid funding allocated in the 2018 BC Budget.
Lawyers’ groups express concerns over B.C.’s auto insurance reforms February 13, 2018 The B.C. government has announced major steps to help the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) get out of financial crisis, but a number of organizations representing the legal community have expressed concerns the reforms to the provincially owned auto insurer may do unintended harm to victims of motor vehicle accidents.
CBABC President Bill Veenstra speaks to CBC Radio about the shortage of judges in BC February 09, 2018 Listen to the in-depth interview.
More vacancies on B.C. Supreme Court to start 2018 despite new appointment process January 24, 2018 President of the B.C. Branch of the Canadian Bar Association Bill Veenstra says the shortage results in cases being bumped regularly.
BC bar, top judge seek speedier federal judge appointments January 23, 2018 Every Monday for the past five months or so, British Columbia Supreme Court Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson has asked some lawyers and litigants scheduled to be heard that week to come to his courtroom so he can inform them in person that regrettably, due to judicial vacancies at the busy trial court, their trials and chambers applications must be postponed — with all of the wasted time, money and energy that will entail.
Bar complains of long delays in naming federal judges; justice minister says record number appointed in 2017 January 17, 2018 The Trudeau government’s chronic failure to name judges on time has renewed complaints from the Canadian Bar Association (CBA), which is demanding a speedy fix for the persistent appointment delays, along with an explanation from Ottawa for why it takes so long to fill judicial vacancies that are forecast months ahead.