24 ~ Sunday, October 18, 1987 - North Shore News

B.C.

THE LEGAL Services Society is
short at least $17 million in its
struggle to provide a minimum
standard of legal service to the
poor and disadvantaged in B.C.,
the Vancouver Rotary Club was
told recently.

David Tupper, treasurer of the
Law Society of British Columbia,
said $40 million is required this
year to carry out recommendations
of a government task force, but
only $23 million is available.

Of this, the federal and provin-

cial governments contributed $19
million. Another $3 million comes
from interest on lawyers’ trust
funds. Lawyers make the system
work by serving for rates as low as
$7 per hour.

Tupper says inadequate funding
creates problems for society as a
whole.

‘*Many experienced lawyers ref-
use to tuke serious cases that, re-
quire their particular level of
skill,” he said. ‘‘Without proper
representation there is a very real

risk of wrongful conviction amidst
the huge crush of criminal cases
processed daily in our criminal
courts.”*

In addition, Tupper said, inade-
quate representation can lead to
delays and backlogs within the
justice system, resulting in increas-
ed costs to the system as a whole.

The Law Society spokesman
stressed the purpose of free legal
aid is not to protect drunk drivers
and criminals. In 1986, less than
three per cent of tegal aid expen-

ditures were for drinking and driv-
ing cases and fess than two per cent
were for drug conspiracies.

Most of the civil cases involve
family law or civil actions involv-
ing property law in various form.
such as workmen’s compensation,
unemployment insurance, and
welfase benefit claims.

The recipients of legal aid are
the working poor, often single
parents, people on welfare or peo-
ple with incomes less than welfare
rates or no income at all.

law society faces shortage of funds

“Tegal aid makes cconomic
sense,’ Tupper said. ‘‘Providing
defence counsel in criminal trials
makes the court system run more
efficiently, shortens many trials
and reduces the number of ap-
peals.

‘*Legal representation does not
solve family law disputes, but giv-
ing the parties a judicial forum
does allow for an orderly working
through of problems, reduces hos-
tility, and relieves the pressures on
our society’s social services.

Friday,-October 16 -OPEN.TILL. MIDNIGHT
Saturday, October 17 OPEN TILL 9PM :
Sunday, October 18 OPEN TILL 6 PM

7 SPECIAL DISCOUNT AND SAVINGS ON

Wy 140%,
BRAND NEW.
2 HONDA’s *

A few remaining 1987 Models at

SUPER LOW PRICES!

Hurry down & view the

Ali New Civics, Preludes

and Accords. Take advantage
of our Extended Hours, Supery
Discounts & Incredible Trade
Allowances, and make yourself
a deal.

Beige, one only at
this Super Low Price
#2966-A

13,696

YOUR TRADE-IN WILL NEVER BE WORTH MORE!

NO REASONABLE
OFFER REFUSED
THIS WEEKEND!

725 MARINE DRIVE NORTH VANCOUVER | 984-0331