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Ask these questions of both the Law Society and the lawyer.
- CHECK THAT S/HE IS IN GOOD STANDING WITH THE NWT LAW SOCIETY. A quick check with the NWT Law Society is all it takes.
Tel: (403) 873-3828
EMAIL Fax: (403) 873-6344 - Ask when s/he was admitted to the Bar. (This will tell you how long they have been in practice.)
- Ask if s/he specializes in the area of law you in which you require assistance. What specialist training or certification does s/he have?
- Ask how many similar cases s/he has handled? How many were won.
- Ask if s/he has ever been disbarred, suspended, or disciplined by any Law Society anywhere.
- Ask if she has been the subject of fee reviews.
- Ask if any complaints have been made against her (regardless of the outcome) to the Law Society.
- Check with CanLaw TO SEE IF WE HAVE ANY COMPLAINTS ON FILE.
HISTORY OF COMPLAINTS IN Northwest Territories |
|---|
| Most Law Societies will NOT tell you if they have complaints against a lawyer unless s/he has been "convicted" in an internal discipline hearing. However of all the complaints received only about ten percent will ever get as far as a discipline hearing in NWT. The rest will be dismissed or closed at the preliminary stages. |
| Their are about 300 practicing full and part time lawyer/members of the NWT Law Society. Complaints run about 20 a year. |
Source: Law Society of NWT |
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
| Complaints received |
23 |
18 |
17 |
24 |
24 |
| Cases sanctioned |
1 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
| Complaints disgarded |
22 |
12 |
16 |
23 |
22 |
| Note: Complaints are not necessarily dealt with in the year received so the above numbers are indicative and represent the trends, but may not be exact on a case per case basis. |
Rate Your Lawyer
FILING COMPLAINTS AGAINST A LAWYER IN NWT.
Generally, complaints to any Law Society are futile. Your complaint will be treated with a lack of respect and your word will not be accepted over that of any lawyer. Nevertheless, complaints should be filed on the slight chance that they will have an impact.KNOW THE RULES. IT WILL HELP YOUR COMPLAINT!
The Code of Professional Conduct for the NWT can be obtained from Russell W. Lusk, President The Canadian Bar Association Suite 902, 50 O'Connor Street Ottawa, On K1P 6L2 Tel: (604) 640-4190 Email Fax: (604) 687-1415
Use and read the Code to help organize your complaint. It is better if you can say that the lawyer violated rule # xxx by doing what she did or did not do. This organizes your material and shows you have done your homework. HINT: Keep your complaint calm and rational. Avoid name calling, abuse and threats. Try to stick to the facts and avoid all emotion. It isn't easy, but it is smart.
To file complaints with CanLaw click here:
To file complaints with the NWT. Law Society write, fax or email them at:
Becky McCaffrey, Executive Director
Law Society of Northwest Territories
Lower Level, Laurentian Building 4918 50th Street
PO Box 1298, Yellowknife, NT X1A 2N9
Tel: (403) 873-3828 EMAIL Fax: (403) 873-6344
LAW SOCIETY OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
(December 1997 - December 1998)
Web site of the Law Society of the Northwest Territories
President
Karan M. Shaner
c/o Legal Division, 4th Floor
GNWT Department of Justice
PO Box 1320
Yellowknife, NT
X1A 2L9
Tel: (867) 920-6144
Fax: (867) 873-0234
SHANER_KARAN/JUSTIC_00@minus40.gov.nt.ca
|
Vice-President
Gregory C. Nearing
C/o Legal Services Board
4916 - 47th Street
PO Box 1320
Yellowknife, NT
X1A 2L9
Tel: (867) 920-8008
Fax: (867) 873-5320
gnearing@internorth.com
|
Secretary
Adrian C. Wright
C/o Phillips & Wright
#1800, Precambrian Bldg
4920 - 52nd Street
Yellowknife, NT
X1A 3T1
Tel: (867) 873-3335
Fax: (867) 873-2772
awright@internorth.com
|
Executive Director
Becky McCaffrey
Law Society of the Northwest Territories
4918 - 50th Street
Lower Level Laurentian Building
P.O. Box 1298
Yellowknife, NT
X1A 2N9
Tel: (867) 873-3828
Fax: (867) 873-6344
lawsocnt@ssimicro.com |
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION CONTACT:
Requests for information under the Freedom of Information Statutes must be answered within 30 days. Although the law societies are not bound by these statutes, most will comply and fill your requests.
Becky McCaffrey, Executive Director
Law Society of Northwest Territories
Lower Level, Laurentian Building 4918 50th Street
PO Box 1298, Yellowknife, NT X1A 2N9
Tel: (403) 873-3828
EMAIL Fax: (403) 873-6344
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