Check it out in this issue of Amicus Curiae on the UWO Law website or hyperlinked on Law is Cool:

A new contributor on LawIsCool is attracting a lot of attention.

Ryan Venables is a former police officer from Vaughn who just started law school at the University of Western Ontario.

He has drawn on his unique experience to provide some very interesting commentary on a number of related subjects.  He even got an interview with CFRB for one of his posts.

Check them out:

Police Were Instigators in Montebello – Report Holds

When the North American Summit Leaders’ Summit was held in Montebello, Quebec in August 2007, something came to the attention of Dave Coles, President of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union.

Amidst a seemingly peaceful protest, Coles noticed that three bandana-clad “burly” men were attempting to incite the protestors to become violent toward riot police…

David Chen: Vigilante or Local Hero?

On May 23, when Anthony Bennett was captured on video camera stealing $60 worth of plants from David Chen’s, Mr. Chen’s Lucky Moose Market located in Toronto, it set off a chain of events that may lead to a reform of what is known as “citizen’s arrest” rights here in Canada.  Ironically, it was Chen who was also arrested by the Toronto Police Service, and charges are being sought by the Ministry of the Attorney General and the Toronto Crown’s office.  However, they are seeking a quick resolution and have offered Chen a guilty plea.  Refusing Crown offer of a guilty plea, Chen is hedging his bets on a legal challenge.  The Globe & Mail article spells out much of the previous facts…

Jane/Finch Fatalities, By Car Not Gun…

On Sunday October 18th I woke up as I usually do, turning to the news to see what I missed while I was dreaming of something I would undoubtedly not remember… I recall rolling my eyes when I heard of another death in the Jane/Finch area, an area I visited on occasion in a past career and hear of often while watching the news.  Then the pictures flashed across the screen.  A BMW.  A Honda Odessey.  A seat.  Engine.  Bodies (yes that is PLURAL!).  All strewn across a street that normally attracts attention for shell casings, and knife blades.  I have seen fatal car accidents, dead bodies, but none of that amounted to the carnage inflicted to that minivan…

UWO Arrest: Justified Arrest or Abuse of Power?

After learning of the arrest of University of Western Ontario student Irnes Zeljkovic on Wednesday October 14, 2009, I looked up The Toronto Star article which led me to two videos on YouTube. The comments there, unfortunately, like always, are quite polarizing. On one side, there are those who think that the police were well within their rights to arrest an actively resisting suspect, and there are those who feel that the police are overstepping the boundary and are assaulting Mr. Zeljkovic. After looking at all the available information, I am firmly in the middle of these two views.

I am fortunate enough to be able to dissect this video from the perspective of a former police officer…

Over 80 students competed at UWO Law in the 2009 Torys LLP Negotiation Competition.

The winners this year were Shane Attersley and Kevin Wall. Jennifer Organ and Keri Wallace were runner-ups.

Omar Ha-Redeye finished as a finalist with his partner, Adam Somogyi.

Professor Michael Coyle organized the competition, and lawyers from Torys that helped participate and judge inclued: Danial Lam , Sandeep Joshi, Gillian Dingle, Jennifer Lennon, Alison Harnick, Raegan Kennedy, Catherine De Giusti, Adrienne DiPaolo, Tim Robbins, Gabi Cohen, Blair Roedding, and Stephanie Rogoza.

Monia Mazigh, the wife of Maher Arar who campaigned tirelessly for his return to Canada, spoke at UWO Law today.

After a Royal Commission that exonerated him, Arar received an apology from the RCMP and compensation from the Canadian government to help cover his legal costs. Despite this, nobody has been held accountable in Canada, and he continues to face difficulties over his inclusion on lists in the U.S.

She said her husband’s case is just one of many that the Canadian public need to learn more about.

Robert Shiller spoke about “Animal Spirits: How Human Psychology caused the Current Economic Crisis” at UWO Law.

Omar Ha-Redeye with John C. Major CC QC

Honourable Mr. Justice Ian Binnie of the Supreme Court of Canada, and The Honourable John C. Major CC QC, formerly of the Supreme Court, spoke on “The Role of the Supreme Court in Canadian Government”at UWO Law.

Omar Ha-Redeye asked the panel questions relating to access to justice, and the role of the judiciary in checking the excess of the legislature, especially as it related to minority rights.

Justice Ian Binnie of the Supreme Court of Canada