Dr Julie Macfarlane, NSRLP Director at Windsor Law: Donald Best’s CJC Challenge necessary
by Dr. Julie Macfarlane, National Self-Represented Litigants Project
The National Self-Represented Litigants Project (NSRLP) of which I am the Director has been extremely concerned – and made this concern clear – for many years about the process for reviewing and adjudicating complaints brought against a member of the judiciary by a member of the public.
Many of the complaints brought to the CJC each year are now brought by self-represented litigants. The “mandate” of the CJC excludes most of these complaints as written.
In order to rebuild public confidence in the judicial system, a robust overhaul of the complaints process – including assistance for members of the public who wish to bring forward a complaint – is essential.
Mr Best’s judicial review claim is an example of the extraordinary lengths to which it is presently necessary to go to draw attention to this flawed system and the lack of public accountability that the CJC reflects.
Yours truly,
Dr Julie Macfarlane
Distinguished University Professor and Professor of Law
(Editor’s note: Don’t forget to support the Donald Best CJC Challenge with a small donation at GoFundMe.)
More from Dr. Macfarlane…
Its out! The fully revised 2nd edition of The New Lawyer: How Clients are Transforming the Practice of Law (UBC Press).
https://www.amazon.com/New-Lawyer-Second-Transforming-Practice/dp/0774837071
Named one of Canada’s 25 Most Influential Lawyers
http://www.canadianlawyermag.com/6513/The-Top-25-Most-Influential-2017.html
For information on my research and continuing work on self-represented litigants, including my Blog on Access to Justice and the SRL Phenomenon, go to https://representingyourselfcanada.com/
Follow me on Twitter @ProfJulieMac
Our podcast Jumping Off the Ivory Tower downloadable here https://representingyourselfcanada.com/podcast/