Justice system hurts family

Re: Waterloo lawyer ordered to pay $100,000 — June 19

Congratulations to Justice Grant Campbell for placing financial sanctions and setting out again the failings of Brigitte Gratl’s representation. The fine is simply a reimbursement of legal costs to the system. The apology is welcome, but years too late.

The question left unanswered is, how do we compensate for the human cost to children, parents and extended family for lawyering that is described by Campbell as inadequate and ineffective? The answer is that you can’t compensate for interrupted or loss of parenting; or for the potentially lifelong emotional damage to children, parents and grandparents; or for the crippling financial costs of a never-ending court process.

Campbell’s indictment of Gratl is in reality an indictment of the legal system. Bad lawyering unchecked effectively encourages worse lawyering. How many clients have suffered as this family did through the years when lawyers and judges remained silent as they faced the damaging strategies described by Campbell?

The majority of lawyers in our community undoubtedly display personal integrity, transparency and competence. Yet these same ethical lawyers maintain a deafening silence even in the most egregious of cases. By their silence they are enabling destructive outcomes for families often facing the crisis of their family’s life.

My hope is that this case serves as a learning experience for how the justice system simply became the system and the courthouse became a house for family pain. It remains unclear if the best interests of the family is at the forefront of the legal community. Barry Lillie Kids ’n’ Dad Shared Support Kitchener