Justice and the Cost of Principles

The past few years have required that I wrestle with a large government organization (and my employer) on a variety of issues that included violations of their own regulations and Charter aspects of Canadian laws. Years ago I was obliged to do the same in a difficult divorce. In both instances I have found that justice seems to be reserved for the party with the deepest pockets. On one occasion when discussing my divorce the last lawyer in a string of 6 assigned by legal aid actually told me I would have been better off to have shot my ex as then I would have been afforded a decent criminal lawyer at the Crowns expense, even if I only wounded him. (it's ok we are friends now - it was a long time ago)

The lawyer I was obliged to hire in my struggle to find fairness and equitable treatment in the CF told me that principles were expensive. Perhaps this is a naive notion, but I am of the opinion that it is more expensive in the long run to be without principles. In any event, it turns out he suffered from a shortage of ethical principles himself. He first failed to research my case properly, in spite of being provided the resources to do so, then misrepresented and mocked me in court, and finally charged me more than the agreed fees. My case was never heard on its merits (I have since won on my own) yet I am still paying him for doing a lousy job. In this regard he was right. His absence of principles was, for me, very costly. Is this justice or simply a lucrative and unethical business in justice manipulation?

First ever blog . . . Leap

This blog was set up simply so I could follow the adventures of my friend Laura http://loneliestcanadian.blogspot.com/ who has moved to Namibia.

Sadly it is not yet my turn for adventure as I have first to complete my MA thesis www.mywrdwrx.com and wind up my day job sometime by 2012. Retirement has an ominous sound to it - like a kind of slow leak to a flat tire. Much better to think in terms of starting a third career. If life keeps having new beginnings it cannot really end now can it. It simply evolves. Eventually, no doubt, it will evolve past recognition. But that's fine too.

Later