Thank You to Outgoing President, Kent Teskey, QC |
We would like to thank our outgoing President, Kent Teskey, QC. Kent joined the Bencher table in 2015 and has served on many committees and task forces.
Kent's leadership guided the Law Society through an unprecedented year with unique challenges. This past year required the Law Society to continue to uphold our core regulatory obligations to protect the public interest while navigating urgent priorities arising out of the pandemic and progressing our new Strategic Goals. Kent’s approach to emerging issues and strategic initiatives set important groundwork for the direction of the Law Society and the legal profession for years to come.
We are grateful to Kent for his time, commitment and dedication to the role of Bencher and President.
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Welcome Darlene W. Scott, QC, President 2021-22 |
Darlene W. Scott, QC, steps into her new role as the 2021-22 President of the Law Society of Alberta today.
Having worn almost every hat imaginable in the governance of the Law Society, taking the helm as President will be the fulfilment of a dedicated and accomplished Bencher career. This makes Darlene the sixth female President and 75th President in the history of the Law Society.
Darlene became a Board member in 2014. She is a senior partner in the Edmonton office of Dentons Canada LLP and practises in the areas of commercial law, real estate and lending.
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Welcome Ken Warren, QC, President-Elect 2021-22 |
Ken Warren, QC, begins his term as the 2021-22 President-Elect of the Law Society of Alberta today.
While Ken has been at the Bencher table for just over two years, his service with the Law Society dates to the early 1990s when he began 25 years of continuous service on a variety of Law Society committees.
Ken has spent his entire 35-year career with Gowlings WLG, where he practises in commercial dispute resolution with a focus on shareholder disputes, professional liability defence, executive employment law and mediation.
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The Law Society welcomes nine new Benchers as they officially join the Board today. We also want to thank the returning Benchers for their ongoing commitment and dedication. We express our sincerest gratitude to the outgoing Benchers for their time and commitment. There is a lot of work ahead and we are confident that the new table will do a great job of progressing our 2020-2024 Strategic Plan.
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Provincial Court of Alberta Announcements |
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With the increase in COVID-19 cases and the attendance restrictions on personal appearances, the Court has been receiving more requests for witnesses to appear remotely. Unfortunately, applications for leave of the Court and the request for the technology to be set up are often being filed with insufficient time to allow for this to occur.
The Provincial Court requires that an application to allow a witness to testify remotely be brought at least thirty (30) days prior to the hearing. Applications are to be made to the assigned trial judge (if applicable) and if not, to the Assistant Chief Judge of the region/division, or their designate. Virtual applications are permitted.
The Court will consider requests for abridgment of the 30-day period on a case-by-case basis.
Virtual appearance of witnesses, if permitted, should be by CCTV whenever possible. The Court will consider requests for appearance by Webex on a case-by-case basis.
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As a result of a high number of COVID-19 cases, Chateh Nation has closed its borders. Court sittings and services in Chateh are affected.
Until the end of March, all court sittings at the Chateh circuit court will be heard out of High Level.
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Supreme Court of Canada Announcement |
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The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, launched the process to select the next justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, who will fill the vacancy created by the upcoming retirement of Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella.
The Prime Minister also announced the members of the Independent Advisory Board for Supreme Court of Canada Judicial Appointments. This non-partisan board is responsible for identifying candidates who are jurists of the highest calibre, functionally bilingual, and representative of the diversity of our country. The seven-member advisory board will be chaired by former Prime Minister Kim Campbell. The advisory board will review applications, and submit a shortlist of highly qualified candidates for consideration by the Prime Minister.
Justice Abella was appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada from the Ontario Court of Appeal in 2004. In recognition of the convention of regional representation, the process will be open to all qualified applicants from Ontario.
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