This paper assesses the diversity of the judiciary in Canada's most diverse urban centres of Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal and it measures the gap between the demographic composition of the judiciary and the population that it serves. The paper then considers the factors that contribute to and perpetuate the homogeneity of Canadian courts, and it addresses the arguments that an identity-conscious appointment process could compromise meritocracy, or that it would challenge the presumed objectivity of judicial decision-making. We argue that reliable public data on the composition of the bench and a clear government vision and strategy are crucial for the administration of justice in Canadian courts.
This brief paper explores the correlation and potential relationship between the composition of the legal profession and trends in litigation, in Ontario, Canada. Specifically, we ask whether there is a positive correlation between the numbers of lawyers and paralegals licensed to practice in the province, and the amount of civil litigation initiated across the province. The paper then discusses possible reasons for the trends in the profession and in litigation, and considers traditional objections, such as the argument that an increase in the number of lawyers will lead to 'litigation explosion'. The paper concludes with suggestions for future research in this area.
Este breve artículo se adentra en la correlación y posible nexo entre la composición de la profesión jurídica y las tendencias en demandas en Ontario, Canadá. Concretamente, nos preguntamos si existe correlación positiva entre el número de abogados y profesionales parajudiciales con licencia en ejercicio, y el número de litigios civiles iniciados. Después, el artículo comenta posibles razones de las tendencias en la profesión y en las demandas, y toma en consideración objeciones que tradicionalmente se han hecho, como que el aumento en el número de abogados conducirá a una “explosión de demandas”. Concluimos con sugerencias para investigaciones futuras.
Th is article uncovers the normative commitments underlying discussions on compliance and institutional design in international law and international relations (IR) theory through an examination of the concept of "global community" in diff erent disciplinary discourses. Th ree images of global community are conjured in these theoretical discussions: the pluralist, the solidarist, and the discursive. After outlining the fi rst two and discussing the critiques waged against them, the article seeks to defend the third image, which off ers an approach to global social integration that is both culturally attuned and ambitious in scope. Drawing on critical IR theory, political philosophy as well as discursive theories of law, the article argues that the proposed image of global community holds the potential to successfully resolve the inherent tension between order, justice and cultural diversity, and where international law may play a meaningful role.
Canada, and within it the Province of Ontario, has not had a new law school in over 30 years. A combination of factors discussed in this paper has caused access to the profession to be quite limited. At the same time, the cost of legal services has increased, putting legal representation outside the reach of the lower and middle classes. In addition, diversity within the legal profession has not improved, leading to the perception of a profession dominated by 'old white males'. The paper discusses whether in light of these factors, greater access to the legal profession, in terms of absolute numbers coupled with the removal of societal barriers, would lead to improved access to justice for Canadians.
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