Cowper Report Calls for Major Overhaul of British Columbia Criminal Justice System

Vancouver lawyer Geoffrey Cowper today released his final 175-page report into reforms to improve the British Columbia criminal justice system:

"In his report, A Criminal Justice System for the 21st Century, Geoffrey Cowper, QC, chair of the Justice Reform Initiative, offers recommendations to government and the judiciary on ways to achieve overall timeliness, improve court and judicial administration and improve the experiences of victims and the community."

"Included in the review and also released today is a report from the Legal Services Society examining legal aid funding and a review of B.C.'s charge assessment process submitted by Gary McCuaig, QC."

The government commissioned the review earlier this year in response to frustration within the legal system because of lengthy delays.