Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services

Nunavut (Nov 05/01) - The judge was real, the witnesses were real, and so was the sexual abuse. But what took place last month at the Frobisher Inn was something less than a real trial.

Sixty plaintiffs say the NWT and Nunavut governments failed to protect them from Edward Horne, a teacher in Sanikiluaq, Cape Dorset, Kimmirut and Iqaluit in the 1970s and '80s now serving five years for sex offences.

Whether the complaints go to a genuine court has yet to be decided. What Justice John Vertes heard Oct. 22 through 27 amounted to a compressed version of what might take place. His advisory ruling will be help make that decision.

Lawyers for both sides presented evidence, which cannot be published.

Lawyer Geoffrey Budden, whose firm represents the 60 victims, declined to speak specifically about the case or how much compensation his clients are seeking.

"In matters involving significant monetary issues 'mini-trials' may be conducted," Budden said.

"Hopefully we'll reach some kind of resolution or at least focus the issues ... what we've done this week has been very helpful in that process," Budden said.

"Since the beginning we've wanted to cause the least pain to the victims and we're on the right track."

Both sides reportedly prefer an out-of-court settlement.

No date for a final decision was available last week, but Budden is scheduled to return to Iqaluit before Christmas.