CBABC in the News

The Canadian Bar Association’s BC branch is calling for several changes to the law and its administration as a result of lessons we’ve learned in the pandemic that affect individuals and businesses. Jennifer Brun, the president of the CBABC, joins BIV publisher and editor-in-chief Kirk LaPointe for a conversation on the Agenda for Justice report from the association.

From The Lawyer's Daily: Despite the watershed (and much-needed) change foisted on the justice sector as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canadian Bar Association, B.C. Branch (CBABC) says much more needs to be done to improve access to the system. It has now set out a plan of action for the province to achieve that goal.

The Lawyer's Daily: The rights of transgender and non-binary persons to equality and dignity are not open to debate — they are a matter of law.

Professional group says modernization of technology in legal system is crucial for access to courts

Lawyers issue recommendations to ease access to justice

Now, as part of her trajectory within the legal world and her fight for queer rights, the Canadian Bar Association’s B.C. branch (CBABC) has named barbara findlay QC as the 2020 recipient of the Georges A. Goyer QC Memorial Award for Distinguished service.

Lawyers, parties can state desire to be addressed as he/him/his, she/her/hers or they/them/their

For trans or non-binary people, the new directives mean they don’t need to question whether or not they should specify their pronouns, and can instead focus on their work or getting through the proceedings like everyone else in the room. 

The changes will avoid lawyers having to raise the issue only after incorrect titles or pronouns are used, and supports a shift in professional practice toward asking all people how they should be respectfully addressed.

In an effort to be more inclusive of transgender people, the Provincial Court of B.C. has created a new policy asking lawyers to provide pronouns when introducing themselves and their clients in court.