Judges to offer course on courts

Most people don't get much exposure to how the court system works, but the P.E.I. Court of Appeals judges are hoping to change that.

Chief Justice David Jenkins said the courts belong to the people and they have a right to know about that important institution.

"We all operate under the rule of law and we can take it for granted," he said.

For three days in November, the P.E.I. Court of Appeal judges will present a course with sessions on the courts, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, public law, criminal law, civil law and family law. It will also include a tour of the Sir Louis Henry Davies Law Courts building where participants can see the courtrooms, holding cells, law library and public areas in the courthouse.

Both retired and sitting judges from the appeals court will take part in three two-hour long sessions, which consist of several presentations each night.

Jenkins said it's important to keep in mind that the courts are there for the public and they are open for people to learn about the law.

"The courts are open to the public, for the most part, however, very few people ever really see the inside of a courthouse, except on one or two occasions in their lifetime when they're personally and directly affected by a court case," he said.

A lot of people think of the courts as only dealing with criminal matters, but that's only about one third of what they handle, Jenkins said, which is in part because that's what the media tends to report.

"That's not a criticism. That's just a natural phenomenon because that's where the public interest is," he said.

Jenkins said the course will give participants an opportunity to meet sitting appeals court judges and get general information about the courts.

"It's not a how-to course," he said.

Along with the sitting judges, there will be four retired chief justices who will give presentations, Jenkins said.

"We have a tremendous amount of talent."

The free sessions will take place Nov. 8, 15 and 22 starting at 6:45 p.m. and registration is limited to 50 people.

Registration starts Oct. 26 and anyone interested in taking part can call Sheila Gallant at 368-6024 or send an e-mail to sfgallant@gov.pe.ca.

rross@theguardian.pe.ca