Goals, Objectives, Strategies and Results

During the 2004 planning cycle, the ministry strengthened its strategic planning and developed a new corporate framework that supports public sector reform. Branch business plans were revised and then consolidated into a ministry business plan, which in turn became the foundation for this Service Plan. The Service Plan presents high-level strategic goals and objectives that are ministry priorities for the next three years.

The plan includes performance measures that currently are most relevant to the objectives. As a result of the new corporate framework, the ministry must develop baseline data and/or benchmarks for many of the measures as noted throughout the plan. In addition, the ministry is developing indices of related measures that will serve as comprehensive performance indicators. Indices can better reflect the magnitude of ministry operations and the complexity and scope of the ministry goals. Examples of operational volumes that are driving the development of indices are shown in the table below.

The ministry recognizes that our continued success and our achievement of the new corporate framework are possible only through the active participation and engagement of our employees. Our culture and values statements speak to the importance of our people. The ministry will continue to focus on employee development plans that encourage individual and organizational learning as well as development and performance and will continue to ensure that such plans align individual performance with ministry goals. A summary of the ministry's Human Resource Plan can be found at http://www.ag.gov.bc.ca/relatedinitiativesandplanningprocesses/overview.html

Examples of Annual Volume in Ministry Operations
(Based on 2004/05 Data)

Government Strategic Goals		Ministry Mission The Ministry of Attorney General is responsible in government for law reform, for the administration of justice, and for seeing that public affairs are administered in accordance with the law.
		Ministry Goals		Ministry Objectives		Performance Measures/Indicators
Goal 2: A supportive social fabric		1. A ministry that is a leader in law reform and innovative justice processes		1. Ministry a centre for promoting law reform		Strategic plans for all areas of law reform Percentage of budget directed to reform activities
				2. Innovation in civil, criminal and administrative justice procedures		Milestones for innovative dispute resolution procedures Year-over-year percentage increase in total criminal cases managed using the Criminal Litigation System Continuous implementation of new technology to streamline procedures
				3. Ministry innovative in providing legal services		Percentage of litigation files for which ministry considers mediation and alternative dispute resolution options Continuous utilization of new technology in provision of legal services
		2. An effective criminal justice system		1. Timely criminal prosecutions and appeals		Yearly percentage change in average time to trial for adult criminal cases
				2. Appropriate and fair criminal prosecutions and appeals		Completion rate of persons referred to Alternative Measures Number of successful malicious prosecution lawsuits against the Crown Number of successful wrongful conviction lawsuits per year
				3. Secure and affordable criminal programs and services		Percentage of video conference appearances as a portion of total in-custody appearances Percentage of serious security incidents as a portion of all prisoners escorted and guarded for court appearances and persons searched at search gates
		3. An effective civil justice system		1. Accessible and efficient civil and family justice services as alternatives to court		Mean rate of satisfaction with Small Claims mediation Number of cases mediated in Small Claims Court Mediation Program Recovery rate for support payments to families enrolled in FMEP Cost of collecting family maintenance payments per dollar recovered
				2. Timely, accessible and efficient court processes		Number of client civil court record searches conducted remotely via internet Percentage of uncontested divorces processed in 5 days from filing to signing Proportion of provincial population residing within 1 hour of travel time to court
		4. Effective legal services enabling government to administer public affairs in accordance with the law		1. High-quality, cost-effective legal services to government		Costs of legal services compared to private sector Percentage of clients satisfied with timeliness, quality, consistency of services
				2. Legal risks and issues managed proactively and strategically		Legal risk management processes in use compared with those of other public sector organizations System in place for early identification of significant cases

The law has a profound practical effect on the legal rights, duties and liabilities of individuals and organizations in our society. Law and justice processes must keep pace with contemporary society. The ministry has a lead role in the debate and development of law that is just, principled, easy to understand and serves the public interest. The ministry also leads development of innovative justice processes that are current, fair, simple and cost-effective.

Law reform is a ministry priority. By engaging in strategies that promote and support law reform inside the ministry and among other justice agencies, the ministry assumes a central role in modernizing laws and justice procedures within the Province. For example, the ministry is a key participant in, and provides resources to support, the B.C. Justice Review Task Force. The Task Force will recommend reforms through the Street Crime Working Group, the Family Justice Reform Working Group, the Civil Justice Reform Working Group and the Mega Trials Working Group.

The ministry is committed to continuous improvement of civil, criminal and administrative justice processes. To achieve this objective, the ministry continually works with justice participants to develop new and improved procedures inside and outside the courtroom to increase the effectiveness of the justice system.

Innovative legal services to government, including the use of alternatives to litigation for resolving disputes, support the ministry as a leader in reform. Government and the public benefit from increased efficiencies resulting from technological and administrative innovations in the delivery of legal services.

The criminal justice system is responsible for administering justice fairly, equitably and efficiently. Citizens expect the system to deliver justice on behalf of victims, accused and communities, while safeguarding the rights of the accused.

The ministry works with other justice participants to administer, and to contribute to public confidence in, the criminal justice system.

Performance indices are being developed to serve as key indicators for this goal.

Criminal matters must be processed within a reasonable period of time or charges against the accused may be dismissed. Timeliness enhances public confidence in the justice process, minimizes distress and disruption for victims and the accused and their families, and leads to efficient use of court and Crown resources. For example, in most cases, Crown counsel conduct pre-charge screening and provide full disclosure documents and an initial sentencing position to the accused or counsel prior to the first appearance.

This objective reflects the importance of fair process and balanced consideration of the interests of the victim, the accused, the witnesses, the families and the public. In determining whether cases should proceed to court, Crown counsel assess all charges reported to them using two criteria: first, whether there is a substantial likelihood of conviction, and second, whether a prosecution would be in the public interest.

Consistent and rigorous application of these standards contributes to the overall effectiveness of the criminal justice system. Careful charge assessments also remove a substantial percentage (17 per cent) of accused persons from the court process where appropriate. Four per cent out of the 17 per cent are directed to Alternative Measures. This ensures that court and Crown resources are used for the cases that warrant full prosecutions.

The safety of all persons who attend or preside in court and the affordability of proceedings are critical to an effective criminal justice system serving the public interest. The ministry provides security training for court staff and promotes the use of innovative courtroom technology.

The civil justice system gives private citizens and organizations options for resolving their disputes and enforcing their rights and the obligations of others. An effective civil justice system fosters stable, healthy business and personal relationships. The civil justice system is broader than the civil courts and includes alternative dispute resolution and the administrative justice system.

The ministry's role in the civil justice system includes providing efficient court services, supporting access to justice, facilitating the resolution of disputes through processes that are most appropriate to the circumstances, and maximizing the performance of all components of the system.

Performance indices are being developed to serve as key indicators for this goal.

An effective civil justice system offers a range of alternatives to the traditional court system to support parties in resolving their disputes. Services must be accessible and affordable to parties who require them.

Timely, accessible and efficient civil court processes are necessary for the court to be an effective option for parties in dispute. Public confidence is eroded if the process becomes too costly, cumbersome or bureaucratic.

This goal supports the Attorney General's unique role in government to see that public affairs are administered in accordance with the law. High-quality legal advice and representation help ensure that government services are delivered effectively.

This objective supports the administration of public affairs in accordance with the law and ensures that government is effectively represented before tribunals and the courts. The ministry's Legal Services Branch has made significant progress in reconciling costs with government requirements for legal advice.

This objective reflects the importance of anticipating, reducing and managing legal risk as part of the stewardship and sound management of public resources.