Inuvik (Oct 29/04) - It began somewhat dramatically in Justice of the Peace Court last week after legal aid lawyer John McFarlane informed Justice of the Peace Tom Kirby that the NWT Legal Services Board would no longer be representing clients in JP Court.

After staff at the Beaufort Delta Legal Services Board came under the umbrella of the NWT Legal Services Board, it seems there is some confusion with their practice of sending lawyers to represent clients in Justice of the Peace Court. - Jason Unrau/NNSL photo

After McFarlane cited budget constraints as the reason, Kirby became annoyed, referring to the policy as "borderline contempt of court."

Kirby went on to criticize the board and said it was disgusting that legal services was ending the practice of sending lawyers to his court.

However, according to Minister of Justice Charles Dent, executive director of the board Lucy Austin "was not even aware lawyers were attending Justice of the Peace court (in Inuvik)."

Dent went on to say that the board's policy was that lawyers attend territorial court only.

"Lawyers in Inuvik were operating beyond the policy," he said.

If the case is something of a more serious nature, he explained, then the court worker can advise the client to request the case be moved to territorial court, whereby the client can receive legal representation.

Unlike other jurisdictions, JP Court in Inuvik sees a variety of cases from the minor to the criminal, including assault charges.

As to the issue of budget constraints, Dent said the overall legal services budget for the territory was increased by more than $400,000 for this fiscal year.

Regional justice co-ordinator for Inuvik Matilda Debastien was unavailable for comment on the matter before press time.