Justice Education Society of British Columbia

For immediate release
November 18, 2009

TWO LAW ORGANIZATIONS LAUNCH A LEGAL INDEPENDENCE PROGRAM FOR BC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Vancouver – The Law Society of BC and the Justice Education Society have launched a “docu-fiction” video about the importance of an independent justice system that features high school students challenging a fictitious law that forbids them from gathering in public after 6 p.m.

More than 350 BC high school law, social studies, and civics teachers have each been sent a DVD and teacher’s guide as part of the societies’ campaign to educate students about the importance of the rule of law in Canada’s justice system and the independence of its judges and lawyers.

The video presents the cases of three high school students arrested and charged under the fictitious “Youth Gathering Act”, which makes it illegal for a group of three or more youth to gather in public.  After being arrested, each student consults a lawyer and learns first-hand about the principles of fairness, independence and equality in the justice system.

Throughout the video – entitled Legal Independence: It’s Your Right – the students are cynical about their prospects of being fairly treated by the court and repeat some myths about the justice system.

The teacher’s guide contains discussion points, questions and answers and other classroom activities to debunk those myths and reinforce the video’s message. In the end, to the students’ surprise, the judge declares the anti-gathering law unconstitutional and dismisses the charges against the students.

 “Many people don’t know that the independence of lawyers and independence of judges are fundamental elements of the rule of law that must be jealously guarded by Canadians,” said Gordon Turriff, QC, President of the Law Society of BC. “I think this video is one way to help students understand that.”

Rick Craig, Executive Director of the Justice Education Society said, “This project is the latest in a series of educational tools the Society has developed to help students better understand the justice system in Canada.”

The Law Society of BC was incorporated in 1884 and is the governing body of the legal profession in BC. Under the provisions of the Legal Profession Act, the Law Society is responsible for the licensing, professional conduct and discipline of the more than 10,000 lawyers in BC.

Since 1989, the Justice Education Society has been dedicated to improving access to the legal system through hands-on, targeted, two-way education between the public and those working in the justice system. As a non-profit organization with ongoing public and private sector financial and volunteer support, the society is able to offer a unique and comprehensive collection of justice related educational services and effectively work towards creating a justice system that is accessible to all.

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For further information or to obtain copies of the DVD and teacher’s guide, please contact:

Patricia Byrne, Manager, Provincial Programs, Justice Education Society
Phone:  604-660-7214 | Email:  Patricia.Byrne(at)JusticeEducation.ca