Advocates in Action

Advocates in Action
As part of our mission to be a voice for advocates, The Advocates' Society ("TAS") undertakes initiatives that seek to improve access to justice, promote diversity and inclusion, protect judicial independence, and make submissions on matters of significance to the legal profession.  Advocates in Action is here to keep our members informed about and engaged with the Society's important advocacy work.

Past Issues
April 2024 Advocates in ActionApril 2024

  • The Advocates' Society proposes changes to court procedures to address delay;
  • The Advocates' Society calls on the Nova Scotia government to urgently increase funding for the justice system;
  • Chief Justice Leonard Marchand's presentation to members of The Advocates' Society about how to ensure access to justice for all
March 2024 Advocates in ActionMarch 2024

  • TAS's defence of judicial independence in response to recent comments by politicians
  • TAS's effective advocacy in widening the Miscarriage of Justice Review Commission’s mandate to include systemic reform work
  • TAS's support for changes to the process for designating vexatious litigants in Ontario
  • TAS's President offers remarks at the SCC’s Welcome Ceremony for Justice Mary Moreau
February 2024 Advocates in ActionFebruary 2024

  • TAS calls on governments across Canada to invest in justice to address delay
  • TAS advocates for more resources to support the translation of the federal courts' judgments
  • The Federal Court joins other Canadian courts in supporting more advocacy opportunities for junior counsel in the courtroom
  • TAS's young members provide a week of pro bono services to Ontarians in need with Pro Bono Ontario’s Free Legal Advice Hotline
January 2024 Advocates in ActionJanuary 2024

  • TAS urges the Government of Ontario to take immediate action to address staffing shortages at the new Ontario Court of Justice courthouse in Toronto
  • TAS applauds proposals to further implement the TRC Calls to Action in the national requirements for prospective lawyers in common law jurisdictions
  • TAS works with other legal associations to advocate for a sustainable legal aid system in Ontario
November 2023 Advocates in ActionNovember 2023

  • TAS urges the Government of Ontario to take immediate action to address staffing shortages at the new Ontario Court of Justice courthouse in Toronto
  • TAS applauds proposals to further implement the TRC Calls to Action in the national requirements for prospective lawyers in common law jurisdictions
  • TAS works with other legal associations to advocate for a sustainable legal aid system in Ontario
September 2023 Advocates in ActionSeptember 2023

  • TAS supports the creation of the Miscarriage of Justice Review Commission, and makes recommendations for how to maximize its impact on the Canadian criminal justice system
  • TAS makes suggestions for how courts can ensure public access to virtual court hearings in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice while maintaining the security of proceedings
  • TAS files its intervener factum in CBC v. The King at the SCC, an appeal concerning how to balance informer privilege and the open court principle
August 2023 Advocates in ActionAugust 2023

  • TAS calls for action on delays in the civil and family justice system
  • TAS is granted leave to intervene in CBC v. The King at the SCC, an appeal concerning how to balance informer privilege with the open court principle
  • TAS weighs in on a draft Ontario rule requiring the disclosure of partial settlement agreements
June 2023 Advocates in ActionJune 2023

  • TAS's successful intervention in Ontario (Auditor General) v. Laurentian University at the Ontario Court of Appeal, on the issue of statutory abrogation of legal privileges
  • TAS's effective advocacy for additional court oversight in the proposed reform of the federal judicial discipline process
  • TAS's defence of judicial independence in response to a bill mandating specific education for Ontario judges
  • The Chief Justice of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice joining other Canadian courts in supporting more advocacy opportunities for junior counsel in the courtroom
April 2023 Advocates in ActionApril 2023

  • TAS advocates for more court oversight in proposed amendments to the federal judicial discipline process
  • TAS calls for speedy implementation of e-filing and greater investments in courtroom technology in Nova Scotia
  • TAS recommends improvements to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice’s Guidelines for Modes of Proceedings
  • TAS urges Ontario members to vote in the LSO bencher election
March 2023 Advocates in ActionMarch 2023

  • TAS's recommendation that the Quebec Government consult with stakeholders on changes to the composition of the provincial judiciary;
  • The Chief Justice of Québec joins other Canadian courts in supporting more advocacy opportunities for junior counsel in the courtroom.
February 2023 Advocates in ActionFebruary 2023

  • TAS's call for members of the Law Society of Alberta to vote on a proposed resolution to repeal CPD requirements
  • TAS's letter urging the provincial and federal governments to improve the accessibility of the Halifax Law Courts
  • TAS's request for more investments in the justice system in Ontario’s 2023 budget
  • TAS's recommendation that the federal government consult with stakeholders about new lawyer reporting requirements in the Income Tax Act
January 2023 Advocates in ActionJanuary 2023: A Year in Review. Catch up on the highlights of TAS's advocacy work from 2022 in this special edition of Advocates in Action. Thank you to all of the volunteers from coast to coast to coast who support our important work on access to justice, judicial independence, diversity and inclusion and more.