eNews: Judges
On November 25th, 2020, in an online ceremony, the Honourable Steven Point (xwĕ lī qwĕl tĕl), former Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia and retired Provincial Court Judge, was installed as Chancellor of the University of British Columbia. The virtual event incorporated elements of the traditional in-person ceremony, including an address by the new Chancellor.
An incident in childhood launched a life-long ambition for Judge Roger Cutler – one he recently fulfilled! When the judge was 12 years old, he was enjoying his first ever hockey tournament when it was cancelled part way through, after the Zamboni driver crashed into the boards. For some reason, this awakened in the young player a strong desire to drive a Zamboni himself.
This month, BC’s Justice Education Society wraps up a five and a half year project to strengthen the criminal justice system in Guyana, South America’s only English-speaking country. BC Provincial Court judges, volunteering their time and expertise, made important contributions to the project in this small country bordered by Venezuela, Suriname, and Brazil.
It can be hard to find a lawyer in a small rural community. Many BC towns have a shortage of lawyers or are projected to have a shortage in the coming years. But smaller communities offer BC lawyers economic advantages including more affordable housing, easy access to recreational activities, and opportunities in the practice of law that may not be available in larger cities.
Born in Iran, Judge Delaram Jahani didn’t speak English until she came to Canada at age 15. Her life has been a series of swift learning curves, with the latest being her transition from lawyer to Provincial Court judge in 2017.