B.C.’s top judge says system needs ‘shock therapy’ to improve access to justice
VANCOUVER — A dose of “shock therapy” is needed to reform Canada’s justice system, which is failing to meet the legal needs of everyday people, British Columbia’s top judge says.
Chief Justice Robert Bauman said Wednesday that while the core of the country’s legal system is worth preserving, dramatic action is needed to address entrenched problems, from timely access to criminal justice to the cost of legal advice and the challenges around self-representation.
Access to justice goes beyond ensuring people get their day in court, and includes understanding your rights, knowing how to navigate the system and recognizing when you have a legal need in the first place, he said in an interview.
“Part of the challenge is, is my institution viable?” asked Bauman, who was appointed chief justice in 2013 after serving as head of the B.C. Supreme Court.