College of Law hosts fourth annual Dean’s Forum on Dispute Resolution and Access to Justice
The fourth annual meeting of the Dean’s Forum on Dispute Resolution and Access to Justice was held at the College of Law on February 29, 2016. This year, the Forum focused on two themes: (1) Putting the Public First; and (2) ‘Action’ to Justice: Addressing Access to Justice in the Saskatchewan Court of Queen’s Bench.
Two student working groups enrolled in the Dean’s Forum course at the College of Law researched, consulted with justice system stakeholders, and developed policy discussion papers and presentations on their respective topics. The students provided participants with their papers in advance, and presented their findings to the Forum, which included over two dozen justice system stakeholders from across the province.
The day began with a welcome from Kevin Fenwick, QC, Deputy Minister of Justice for Saskatchewan. Participants introduced themselves, and Brea Lowenberger, the Access to Justice Coordinator at the College of Law, provided background on the history of the Dean’s Forum. Each group’s presentation was preceded by introductory remarks from Professors Sarah Buhler and Michaela Keet. The two student groups presented their policy discussion papers and facilitated a large group discussion.
In the afternoon, the participants were split into break-out groups to engage in more in-depth discussions of the topics, before the group convened once more for a session dedicated to action and implementation of the day’s recommendations and ideas for future participation.
Interim Dean Beth Bilson, QC, concluded the day with reflections on the extraordinary nature of an event that brings together leaders in the justice system to discuss access to justice and what the future can bring. Stay tuned for further details about the event in an upcoming issue of the College of Law Magazine, of Note.