Justice Education Society Announcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 29, 2009
Contact: Kevin Smith                                                                  
604-660-0588; kevin.smith@justiceeducation.ca                                                

Law Courts Education Society Celebrates Milestone

As Part of 20th Anniversary, Society Debuts New Name
 
Vancouver, BC – The Law Courts Education Society of BC celebrated its 20th anniversary on Thursday night and announced it is changing its name to the Justice Education Society.
 
“The Society has evolved dramatically since its inception to produce programs and resources that go far beyond educating the public about the ‘law courts,’” said Rick Craig, executive director and founder of the Society.
 
Wally Oppal, Attorney General of BC and a past president of the Society, joined Craig in unveiling the Society’s new name, logo and tagline: “Justice Through Knowledge.” Craig also launched the Society’s new website www.JusticeEducation.ca.
 
The Justice Education Society has been pioneering public legal education for two decades and has created over 100 programs and resources while introducing over one million British Columbians to the province’s justice system.
 
“These numbers will continue to climb under the Society’s new name,” said The Honourable Judge Pedro de Couto, President of the Board. “The work will remain the same, the substance of the Society will remain unchanged, only the name will change.”
 
Also at the celebration, Derek Wiebe, a criminal defence lawyer, was given the Hughes Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to public legal education. Derek has worked with the Society for many years, acting in videos (Your Voice in Criminal Court; AdminLawBC.ca) in addition to guest-speaking and leading research projects.
 
As part of its year-long 20th anniversary celebrations, the Society is hosting a series of speaking events. Aboriginal Justice in Our Times took place in March and is available for viewing at www.JusticeInOurTimes.ca. Next month, in partnership with the Vancouver Sun and Shaw TV, the Society is organizing Gang Wars: Justice in Our Times. The forum will examine the justice system’s response to BC’s gang violence.
 
About the Justice Education Society
Established in 1989 as the Law Courts Education Society, the Justice Education Society is dedicated to improving access to the legal system through hands-on, targeted, two-way education between the public and those working in the justice system. A non-profit organization with ongoing public and private sector financial and volunteer support, the Society offers a unique and comprehensive collection of justice-related educational services with the goal of creating a justice system that is accessible to all.
 
-30-
 
For more information please contact: Kevin Smith at 604.660-0588 or kevin.smith@justiceeducation.ca