In a recent blog post, we celebrated our success as the Champions of IRP Defence.
We’ve earned that title. Recent statistics show that in some months we succeed in more IRP review hearings than all other BC law offices and self-represented individuals COMBINED. (freaky)
We have heard everything from screams of joy, to tears, to public celebrations, to shocked silence and the phone hitting the floor.
We are clearly very serious about winning, and we love our jobs. So we thought it might be fun to share with you what it’s like to win an IRP.
We want to win an IRP for you
We are invested in your case from start to finish. The first step is to skilfully dissect the police disclosure. No matter how many IRPs we do, we always get excited when we see the police disclosure. We often quite fanatically discuss successful IRP defences. We know the legal evidentiary burden that must be met for the Superintendent to confirm a driving prohibition, and it’s genuinely thrilling for us to uncover the errors and weaknesses in the police evidence that can help win your case.
The next step is conducting the hearing itself. We pack a lot into the 30 minute time limit for submissions, including a critical review of the evidentiary flaws, forensic evidence, complex legal arguments, supporting case law, other winning IRP precedents, and various other resources or expert evidence. We often also support our arguments with extensive written materials as well. We do everything we can to succeed – and it works.
Next – the winning decision. It arrives by fax. We know it’s a winner before we even read it because it’s usually only a couple of pages. But it includes three of the most important paragraphs you’ll ever need to see in your case.
As a result of my findings, I revoke your driving prohibition, monetary penalty, and vehicle impoundment, as required by s. 215.5(4) of the Act.
You may resume driving after you have obtained a driver’s licence from the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia…
If you have not already done so, you may go directly to the location where your vehicle is impounded for the immediate release of your vehicle. The Superintendent of Motor Vehicles will pay towing and storage costs up to and including the date of this letter.
The best part…
Finally – the best part: calling you. There is nothing better than calling you and telling you that you won your case. It goes something like this. “You can go get your licence. There won’t be any fees for the replacement. And you can go get your vehicle. ICBC pays the bill for your vehicle, but make sure you get it today because they will only cover the bill up to the date they told you that you won. You aren’t liable for the fines or reinstatement fees. You aren’t liable to enroll in any remedial programs such as the responsible drivers or the ignition interlock.”
We usually have to repeat ourselves because most clients are so happy and relieved they are too moved and shocked to fully absorb it all. We have heard everything from screams of joy, to tears, to public celebrations, to shocked silence and the phone hitting the floor. It is not unusual to get a call back 5 minutes later from a very happy client apologizing for the shock and asking me to repeat the happy news.
We understand that often your job, your school, your family, or your health can be at stake. We also understand the flaws in the IRP scheme and we are highly critical of the overall unfairness. We know the unconstitutional history of this law, and we are shrewdly eyeing the recent amendments. We fight this law in all levels of court. We understand that there are many factors to be considered – both large and small – and that is why we work as hard as we do. We tout our success.
If you get an IRP, call us right away. We want you to know what it’s like to win an IRP.