Nanaimo’s lawyers, a provincial court judge and sheriffs will host a mock trial and tours of the Nanaimo Court House as part of Law Week 2013 celebrations.
Law Week is celebrated annually by the B.C. Branch of the Canadian Bar Association to familiarize citizens, especially youth, with the Canadian justice system by employing themes to showcase the justice system in communities.
This year’s theme is Access to Justice: the Role of Public Opinion.
Events across the province are held throughout April and include interactive displays, courthouse tours, free law classes, contests and mock trials.
Sabrina Yeudall, a family law lawyer with Warsh Law Corporation and one of the organizers behind events scheduled in Nanaimo, said Law Week helps make the justice system appear more accessible to the public.
“I think it’s very important for people to have a sense of familiarity with their justice system and to have the opportunity to come and attend inside the courthouse,” Yeudall said.
“Often people are never in a courtroom until something has gone wrong and it is there for service to the public.”
This year’s events at Nanaimo courthouse on 35 Front St. happen Tuesday (April 23) 4:30-6:30 p.m. There will be plenty to see and do at this year’s open house, which includes tours of the courthouse and its library, sheriff’s van and cells, plus exhibits by community resource groups and a mock trial: Regina v. The Big Bad Wolf, presided over by Doug Cowling, provincial court judge, in which the wolf will face multiple charges approved by the Crown, the least of which, given how the wolf has proven his pedigree on numerous occasions, could include everything from fraud and uttering threats to mischief and wilful property damage.
Yeudall will not divulge whether the wolf has a hope of beating the charges.
“I wouldn’t want to take away any of the suspense from the event,” Yeudall said.
For more information about Law Week, please visit www.bclawweek.org.