A scroll thru history, BC's 1992 Ombudsman Report. Diana's comments pasted in arial green font is my experience 1974 to the present and tells us today 2012 Canada's criminal and civil justice system fails her citizens.
1986: I am the first court reporter in Canada to provide soft-copy transcript to then client 1986 World Exposition in Vancouver, BC Canada. The world wide web (www) soon followed, came out in 1992.
The present 2012: I never lost heart (!) our Chief Justice wold speak her mind in Kamloops 8th March: 'ACCESS TO JUSTICE IS A BASIC RIGHT.' The Right Honourable Beverly McLachlin speaks frankly today telling us Canada's civil justice system has 'failed our middle class'. The last sentence in the above article quotes our Chief: "the legal profession and government officials responsible for the administration of the justice system have moved past simply talking about barriers to justice and are beginning to seek answers."
The past 1982: Government officials, Court Services, already knew the ANSWER! You viewed my ANSWER on my Work Page: I spoke frankly to BC Chief Justice Allan McEarchern in 1982.
1986: Again I spoke frankly before BC's JRC-Justice Reform Committee.
1992: BC's Ombudsman produced a 1992 Report!
2001: The Right Honourable Beverly McLachlin acknowledged "this new view of the judge involves changes on every front ... Changes in the process through which the duties are discharged: the administration of justice. ... court management has become a hot topic."
2010: download 4 May article Two myths hinder the global fight against corruption. .. 30 September 2010 A Perfect Legal Storm.
2012: Now I reiterate today my frank comments to you: Canada's criminal and civil justice system fails her citizens!
The Right Honourable Beverly McLachlin comments on "Good News" in her last paragraph in above 2012 article ACCESS TO JUSTICE IS A BASIC RIGHT. My reply, the ANSWER has been in place since 1982. Business Ethics, a 3rd-yr University of Victoria philosophy course, is not Rocket Science. Government officials Court Services' job is to follow the ANSWER provided by the Judicial Branch of Government, and not the other way 'round. To put it bluntly, Judicial officers take an OATH to produce to the best of their skill and ability. The process of production supplies the ANSWER.
The only way government officials, Court Services, move past simply talking about barriers and move past "seeking answers" is when our Chief Judge does her job -- protects the public by demanding Court Services respect her judicial officer(s) Oaths of Office. Even more bluntly, Court Services' job is to implement the ANSWER by Judicial Officer into the administration of justice! Anything less tells us Court Services steals money out of the public's pocket!
A scroll thru history (my experience 1974 to the present 2012) helps viewers understand the challenges this juducial officer / legal producer still faces today 2012 (!) to bring you simple and easy "search" ability to help you keep your legal costs down! THE ANSWER IS: Don't let any lawyer tell you that you have to pay for his "heavy" (print). Instead, keep your legal costs "light" (digital) court documents.
The Present 2012: Everybody now, including judges and lawyers, understands the power of search engines – keyword search ability in google and/or on your cd or memory stick or laptop. Likewise, everybody now knows how to search the Internet (1993-present) for civil and criminal litigation. Litigants be aware! Reduce your legal costs by demanding your basic rights of access to justice. Demand your legal or state counsel provide your Case Map, and demand your right to access justice by RT-realtime and CIC-computer integrated court transcript.
I started court reporting in the early 1970's (profile). Lawyers back then waded hours thru “heavy” (print) files in large Binders that filled their boardroom walls. Today 2012, “light” (digital) court documents & transcripts save you (the litigant) money. Don't let your lawyer charge you "heavy" legal fees! -- hours printing and wading thru those (heavy) print outs!
The ANSWER, "light" (digital) transcripts KEEPs LEGAL COSTS DOWN. You do not need a computer to gain the benefits of Case Maps, RT-REALTIME and "LIVE" transcript CIC-Computer Integrated Court or Conference. RT Court Reporter writers link to a computer equipped with Computer Aided Translation (CAT) software. RT Notes immediately translate into English and you can view this "LIVE" transcript on a screen. CIC IS A STEP UP, allows litigants to "SEARCH the LIVE" transcript. A free "light" (digital) copy of the transcript is available at the end of the session. The "light" transcript is for your review, included in court reporter attendance and free for parties in the same action to duplicate and distribute. You can request a printed copy. You do not need to pay for further transcripts (expedite and/or daily copy). You do not have to wait for transcript. The transcript is yours at the end of the session.
Case Maps and RT translation is greatly enhanced by co-operation between Court Reporter and Client prior to the hearing. Continuity through an extended hearing further enhances the total process, and gives the Client improved case and information management. You or your staff can use your Case Map in RT and/or STEP UP from RT to CIC transcript as a working file to:
- view the current and previous hearing transcript
- search for keywords, e.g. witness name
- mark issues and make notes that are cross-referenced to the transcript
- cut and paste working copies
If you wish to bring a computer to the session, you can also request RT display on your monitor. Best view is LIVE SEARCHABLE transcript -- CIC compurter integrated court or conference. CIC is a step up from RT, allows litigants to "SEARCH the LIVE" transcript. One or more clients can use CIC in court hearings. Each independently connects to the court reporter and each confidentially accesses their own copy of transcripts on their own computer and perform the above functions in private. You can access the transcript In Session, or at Recess. Your copy remains on your computer for use later. There is no charge to "browse" transcripts on-line or off-line. Software is provided free.
Now you have knowledge, now you have choice! Do you have the courage to speak out? Demand your basic rights, access to justice!
