Pointts Whitby

Prior to the establishment of POINTTS, motorists contesting a traffic violation were faced with the prospect of conducting their own defense in court, or retaining the services of a lawyer. Significant obstacles were placed in their path with either choice. A layman, unfamiliar with courtroom protocol and procedures is intimidated by the judicial system. The cost of retaining a lawyer can be prohibitive, as fees are normally charged on an hourly basis. Additionally, the vast majority of lawyers, by their own admission, do not, nor do they wish to, handle traffic cases.
The opportunity created by this situation was apparent to Brian Lawrie which led to his resignation from the police force and the establishment of POINTTS. In 1985 Lawrie and POINTTS were challenged in court by the Law Society (Bar Association) in what many people saw as a blatant attempt by the lawyer's union to protect its economic territory and thereby its monopoly. After an intense three-year court battle POINTTS was successful in breaking that monopoly and establishing, for the first time anywhere, the business of court representation by a non-lawyer.