FACTORES DE RIESGO

The Court Services Division is responsible for the provision of administrative support services for the Nunavut Court of Justice. The Division also provides assistance to the public, the judiciary, legal counsel, the RCMP and other officials.

Additional responsibilities include administration of the Sheriff’s Office, the Justices of the Peace Program, Coroner’s Office, Maintenance Enforcement Program, the Commissioners of Oaths, Notaries Public, Labour Standards Administration and the Residential Tenancies Act. The Division also supports the Labour Standards Board, the Nunavut Criminal Code Review Board, the Liquor Licensing Board and provides access to legal information through the Courthouse law library.

Objectives

• To provide efficient and timely processes relating to family, civil and criminal Court proceedings.

• To develop cost-efficient, effective and integrated systems for records management.

• To provide a culturally appropriate and respectful workplace for staff by providing quality staff training and development opportunities as well as ensuring staff input into all Court initiatives.

Programs Budget ($000) 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18

Court Administration 7,608 8,882 8,882 8,882

Court Administration is responsible for the provision of support services for the Nunavut Court of Justice throughout Nunavut. This includes providing information and assistance to the public, the Judiciary, legal counsel, the RCMP, and other individuals or groups who are bringing matters before the Court. The Nunavut Criminal Code Review Board is composed of psychiatrists, psychologists, experienced lawyers and non-professional members. The law library at the Nunavut Court of Justice provides legal information for members of the legal profession and Nunavummiut.

Nunavut Liquor Licensing Board 314 140 140 140

The Nunavut Liquor Licensing Board functions independently to control the conduct of liquor license holders, the management and equipment of licensed premises, and the conditions under which liquor may be sold or consumed in licensed premises under the Liquor Act.

Department of Justice

The Family Support Program 364 379 379 379

The Family Support Program has the primary responsibility for collecting and disbursing child and spousal support payments. There are currently approximatelytwo hundred and seventy one open family support files.

Justices of the Peace (JPs) 764 664 664 664

Justices of the Peace are community based judicial officers who have jurisdiction with the Nunavut Court of Justice over summary (less serious) Criminal Code offences and offences under Nunavut statutes. In addition, Justices of the Peace are empowered to conduct bail hearings for more serious cases and have limited civil jurisdiction under some Nunavut statutes. Justices of the Peace also perform a valuable service in their communities conducting marriage ceremonies, swearing-in various officials, and signing documents.

Coroner’s Office 433 533 533 533

The Coroner’s Office investigates the circumstances surrounding all reportable deaths that occur in Nunavut or as a result of events that occurred in Nunavut to determine the identity of the deceased and the facts concerning when, where, how, and by what manner a deceased person came to their death. The service is supported by Coroners within the communities, the RCMP, the Fire Marshall’s Office, the Workers’ Safety & Compensation Commission, the Transportation Safety Board, and various other agencies that work closely with the Coroner’s Office. The Nunavut Coroner’s Office is also responsible for arranging with southern providers for such services as autopsies and toxicology testing.

Rental Office 119 119 119 119

The Rental Officer receives, investigates, mediates and adjudicates complaints under the Residential Tenancies Act. A finding of non-compliance can result in a Notice or Order and can be filed in Court and enforced as an Order of the Court.

Labour Standards Board/Labour

Services Administration 183 183 183 183

Labour Standards administers the Labour Standards Act and its regulations, the Wage Recovery Act, and the Employment Agency Act. The Labour Standards Board functions independently to hear appeals under the Labour Standards Act.

Total, Court Services 9,785 10,900 10,900 10,900

Priorities (2014-15)

• Expand security measures for the courts in all communities by implementing a Security Policy and enhanced screening measures for court facilities.

Status: A Security Policy has been developed and is in the process of being implemented. The

Judicature Act Regulations were amended to increase the search authority for Sheriffs, and intensive training was initiated and now forms a permanent part of the Sheriffs job requirements. Increased security measures have been implemented in many court facilities and enhancements to others are in the planning stages.

Department of Justice

• Expand complement of community Justices of the Peace and increase training initiatives for the Family Abuse Intervention Act and Regular Justice of the Peace.

Status: The Senior Justice of the Peace position was updated to require the candidate to be

legally trained with at least 5 years of experience. The current Senior JP previously practiced as a lawyer and is currently focused on recruiting community JPs and developing training modules and initiatives.

• Continue to provide ongoing staff training and professional development opportunities.

Status: Employees are currently engaged in several training initiatives, which include

professionally developed online and personal training sessions from the Justice Institute of British Columbia.

• Maintain a full staff complement; continue efforts to provide relevant professional development opportunities; and expand Inuit language capacity within Court Services.

Status: Court Services continues to recruit qualified candidates in permanent and casual

positions, through approved screening processes, giving priority hiring opportunities and direct appointment considerations to land claims beneficiaries.

• Explore the feasibility of a paperless “Electronic Court” by assessing, upgrading or replacing current court technology.

Status: Court Services is investigating human and financial resources to explore upgrading

current records and information technologies to implement an integrated justice technology solution to meet the needs of both the courts and justice partners.

Priorities (2015-16)

• With future growth, the Nunavut Justice Centre will need to be renovated. An additional Courtroom, expansion of the court registry, the exhibit control room, Judges chambers, Justice of the Peace offices, and cells will be a priority.

• Explore the feasibility of leasing a transient housing unit for non-resident deputy judges and contractors such as court reporters and interpreters.

• Continue to provide ongoing staff training and professional development opportunities.

• Expand and enhance the use of technology in Courts including adding videoconferencing and audio recording capabilities to all courtrooms with access to these technologies in communities during court circuits.

Priorities (2016-17)

• With future growth, the Nunavut Justice Centre will need to expand its facilities including the addition of a courtroom and office space.

• Implement a Court Records Management system for the courts that will include a financial payment and tracking component for registry filing fees and fine payments.

Department of Justice

• Continue to provide ongoing staff training and professional development opportunities. Priorities (2017-18)

• Expand the current Justice of the Peace Program into the communities by investing resources to establish regional Justice of the Peace offices and facilities in each region.

• Expand Sheriff Services to include greater responsibilities in the area of prisoner escort and management for court proceedings.

• Continue to provide ongoing staff training and professional development opportunities.