Earlier this week Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops and University of Calgary announced a partnership to begin the first new law school Canada has seen in thirty years.

The new law school, to be located in Kamloops, BC will adapt the University of Calgary's law school curriculum, allowing the new school to begin teaching in the fall of 2011. The initial class size is expected to be about 60 students.

"There is a growing crisis over the lack of legal representation and access to justice in Canada,” said U of C law school Dean Alastair Lucas. "For the most part, law school graduates are going into direct or indirect corporate roles that will make them good livings and support their communities, but not enough serve the legal needs of individuals, particularly in smaller centres. So getting more law graduates out there is important and we're in a unique position to help make that happen."

There is great hope that the graduates of this new law school will remain in the Interior of BC for the duration of their careers and help contribute to the community by providing everyone with critical access to legal services.

Based on my eight years experience of helping individuals in Canada find appropriate lawyers for their specific situation, I can attest to the definite need for more lawyers and legal services outside of major city centres. And I applaud this partnership for contribution it will make towards achieving "Justice for All".