Re: 鈥淏.C. taken to court over auto insurance changes,鈥� April 2.
The Trial Lawyers Association of B.C. claims in its lawsuit that 鈥渢his is about protecting the public interest 鈥� not about protecting ICBC.鈥� In this instance, protecting the financial interests of ICBC is absolutely in the public interest, as the public must pay for the outrageous claims made by the Trial Lawyers Association.
It is these claims, in which the lawyers have a conflict of interest, given that they split the proceeds, generally unfairly, with their clients, that drives up the cost of litigation. When it becomes cheaper to 鈥減ay off鈥� the complainant than it is to defend yourself against an unjust claim, the 鈥渃orrect鈥� business decision is to simply do that. In other words, give in to blackmail.
If the Trial Lawyers Association is so concerned about the public鈥檚 right to fair and equal access to the courts and justice, then it should address that issue on its merits, not on the impact on lawyers鈥� personal income. With this new legislation, if it accomplishes its goal, the legal profession could stand to lose as much as $300 million in income per year. That could greatly alter the landscape of the legal profession in B.C.
It鈥檚 certainly not a perfect solution, but until someone can find something better, it鈥檚 better than what we have.
Jack Trueman
Brentwood Bay
