April 21, 2006 Source: :
http://www.smu.ca/newsreleases/2006/21-04-2006.html Arts Professor Appointed to Law Reform Commission A professor in the Faculty of Arts at Saint Mary’s University has just been appointed as a Commissioner of the Law Reform Commission of Nova Scotia for a term of three years. Dr. John McMullan, Sociology and Criminology Department, says he is delighted to have been selected to join one of the province’s most widely respected legal organizations. "It’s an honour to have this opportunity and serve as a member for the Law Reform Commission of Nova Scotia," says Dr. McMullan. "As a non-lawyer on the Commission, my goal is to try to bring different perspectives on issues that encompass civil law reform in our society." Dr. McMullan indicates that one of his goals as a Commissioner is to ensure that the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Saint Mary’s and the Law Reform Commission of Nova Scotia soon becomes a reality. "I hope I can help in the implementation of this MOU and that we can have the Law Reform Commission located at Saint Mary’s sooner, rather than later," he says. The MOU, which was signed almost three years ago, is aimed at having both organizations pursue collaborative opportunities, including joint research projects that are law related, which will benefit law reform in the province. As well, this MOU will enhance Saint Mary’s community outreach objectives and give tangible expression to the University’s belief in the importance of law reform. "This MOU will benefit our students, our faculty and of course those who work and utilize the civil litigation process in the province," he says. The Commission is engaged in a number of specific projects that it is tackling over the next three years. It is looking at reforming the rules that govern court procedures and behaviour, and reviewing vexatious litigation in the province. The Commission also plans on working with Psychology professors at Saint Mary’s who recently initiated a Small Claims Court research project, and studying the issue of grandparents’ access rights to their grandchildren in Nova Scotia. There are only seven people who serve as Commissioners of the Law Reform Commission of Nova Scotia, which is an independent body created by the Government of Nova Scotia 15 years ago for the purpose of reviewing law and any matter relating to law in the Province and to making recommendations for improvement, modernization, and reform of the law of the Province. Dr. McMullan is the author and co-author of eight books on crime, law and justice, and of dozens of shorter works on business deviance, law enforcement, gambling and society, and the media and socio-legal problems. Saint Mary's University is known for its community outreach projects, both in Canada and around the world. Saint Mary's, founded in 1802, is home to one of Canada's leading business schools, a Science Faculty widely known for its cutting-edge research, a comprehensive and innovative Arts Faculty and a vibrant Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. -30- For More Information: Paul Fitzgerald
Public Affairs Officer
Saint Mary's University, Public Affairs
(902) 420.5514
E-mail: paul.fitzgerald@smu.ca
www.smu.ca
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