The BCCLA has joined the Criminal Lawyers Association and a number of legal organization in writing to Rt. Hon. Richard Wagner, P.C., Chief Justice of Canada, about our concern regarding the Court’s practice about recognizing co-counsel on published judgments. We are requesting that the Court reconsider the policy that only counsel who appear for a hearing will be listed in the published reasons for judgment.
The unfortunate result is that intervention co-counsel, almost exclusively junior lawyers, are not noted on the Court’s judgment. Denying junior lawyers, especially junior lawyers of diverse backgrounds, the recognition they deserve perpetuates the status quo of having a more homogenized cadre of lawyers appearing before this Court. Denying these opportunities does this Court, the bar, and the public a disservice.
