History & Mission

The Justice Education Society's History

British Columbia and Canada are made up of many diverse groups and communities. Our justice system has been built to protect the rights and freedoms of everyone who lives in those communities.

In order for all of us to exercise these rights and freedoms – and truly access justice – it is important that we fully understand exactly how our system works and how it is here to help protect us and our families.

It is also equally important that those working within the justice system, including judges, lawyers, sheriffs and other personnel, are aware of the justice-related issues faced by our communities.

1979: Public education of the law courts begins with the completion of the Law Courts complex in Vancouver, British Columbia.

1988: A special Law Reform Committee created by Ted Hughes, then Deputy Attorney General of BC, publishes a report recommending changes to BC’s Justice System. The report stated: "Citizens must be given the information they need in a meaningful form, so that they can gain access to the justice system..."

1989: The BC Ministry of Attorney General, the Judiciary and the Canadian Bar Association (BC Branch) create the Law Courts Education Society and assume responsibility for the law courts education programs that had begun in 1979.

2009: The Law Courts Education Society celebrates 20 years of providing public legal education by rebranding and renaming itself the Justice Education Society.

Since its inception, the Justice Education Society has provided public legal education and information to more than one million individuals, including over 700,000 students and youth.

The Justice Education Society’s Mission

Building stronger communities by promoting understanding of, access to, and confidence in our justice system, at home and abroad.

The Justice Education Society’s Objectives

  1. To provide hands-on educational programs and services to the general public, as well as to youth, Aboriginals, ethnic and immigrant communities, deaf people, those with special learning abilities, and other groups as needed.
  2. To make those working within the justice system (judges, lawyers, sheriffs, and other justice system personnel) aware of the barriers that certain groups face in accessing our justice system.
  3. To continually identify new ways in which the justice system can be made more accessible to all.