Current Initiatives and Consultations
CBA-NL L&LR Subcommittee Review of the Rules of the Supreme Court, 1986
The Legislation and Law Reform (L&LR) Committee of CBA-NL has struck a Rules Subcommittee to examine the Rules of the Supreme Court, 1986 (excluding the Family Court rules) and provide commentary and recommendations for reform.
As part of the Subcommittee’s work, we are asking members of the bar to provide any comments or recommendations about the Rules.
We want to hear about what is working, what is not working, amendments, additions, subtractions – any thoughts or views on the Rules are welcome and will be incorporated into the Subcommittee’s work.
Please provide any responses by email to cba-nl@cba.org. Any commentary, including brief and informal, is welcome.
2021 CBA-NL Legislation and Law Reform: Proposed Changes to the Lands Act
In 2020-21, CBA-NL, through our Legislation and Law Reform Committee, engaged in consultations with our membership and stakeholders, culminating in the report, Reforming the Law on Adverse Possession, which examines Section 36 of the Lands Act, 1991, and provides recommendations and draft legislation, as well as policy suggestions to resolve outstanding issues surrounding Crown Lands and private property claims.
Based on the historical root of title in Newfoundland and Labrador and the volume of possessory land claims in existence to the current day, CBA-NL recommends action be taken to amend Section 36 the Lands Act. The status quo is unsustainable and has resulted in a disconnect between law and practice, which is increasingly becoming an obstacle to the proper functioning of real estate law in Newfoundland and Labrador. We also recommend some manner of administrative process be established to deal with the volume of such claims that require resolution.
CBA-NL looks forward to engagement with government to address concerns identified in the report, which are of very real significance to the practicing bar of our province.
2021 NL Provincial Election Engagement
- 2021 NL Provincial Election Engagement - Platform for Justice: CBA-NL Letter to Provincial Party Leaders
2020 CBA-NL Submissions
- Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015, Review
- Amendments to the Public Health Protection and Promotion Act
- Judicial Vacancies in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Newfoundland and Labrador Court Operations and the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic
2020 CBA National Section Submissions Pertaining to NL Legislation
2020 CBA-NL Statements
As we have shared with our membership in recent months, CBA-NL is putting a renewed focus on provincial legislation and law reform.
The mandate of the CBA-NL Legislation and Law Reform Committee is to assist the Branch in pursuing improvements in the law and the administration of justice by: promoting consideration by the Branch of legal and policy issues that are of interest or concern to the legal community; to which the legal profession has a social or moral obligation to respond; and upon which the Branch can inform public debate.
Through our Executive Committee, Section Chairs and member volunteers, the CBA-NL will make legislative suggestions to government in areas in which our membership has particular expertise and experience and can make practical suggestions to the House of Assembly.
See the CBA-NL Legislation and Law Reform Guide for more information and visit this page for updates on current projects and submissions.
CBA-NL members can submit their comments and suggestions for provincial Legislation and Law Reform and advocacy initiatives by emailing cba-nl@cba.org.