The Dean of Law at Thompson Rivers University says something is happening at the Kamloops courthouse this week that hasn’t happened in recent memory.

Brad Morse says the Court of Appeal is sitting all five days this week, when it usually sits two-or-three days per week in Kamloops.

“Part of it simply is, the province is growing, over 5 million people. Part of it is we’re seeing more criminal matters going on, particularly locally here in Kamloops, than was the case 5, 10, 20 years ago,” he said. “We’re also just seeing more people dissatisfied, wanting to appeal.”

But Morse says there is good news to it.

“It’s excellent news for those who are getting their cases on that otherwise would be waiting many months more to have that appeal argued or, more than likely, they’d have to travel to Vancouver,” added Morse. “That means their lawyer, who likely is from Kamloops, would likely travel there. And it’s either gas or air, and then hotels, food and all the rest.”

Morse says seeing the Court of Appeal here more often ultimately saves people in Kamloops money.