A B.C. Supreme Court justice wants the Simon Fraser Student Society and the Canadian Federation of Students to try to settle their dispute out of court in order to avoid substantial legal costs.

In a decision on August 10, after both parties had presented evidence, Richard Blair declined to make a summary judgment on the legal fight that resulted from a referendum called by the SFSS in March of last year. Sixty-six percent of the SFU students who cast ballots voted in favour of terminating the student society’s affiliation with the CFS, which is a national federation of postsecondary student unions.

Blair’s ruling sets the stage for a full-blown trial. But according to the judge, the money needed for a 15-to-20-day trial would be better spent on programs for students.

“The cost of this litigation, no matter which party or parties are successful, will be borne by post-secondary students enrolled at SFU, as well as by students at those institutions which are members of the CFS,” Blair wrote in his decision.

Blair suggested that if the parties are unable to settle their dispute, another referendum could be held. The court, according to the judge, would be willing to assist the parties should problems arise during the referendum process.

As the Straight went to press, neither the SFSS nor the CFS would say whether they were willing to work out an out-of-court agreement.

SFSS external relations officer Alysia MacGrotty said by phone that the student society was scheduled to meet on August 12 to discuss the judge’s decision.

“There’s many reasons including financial reasons,” MacGrotty said when asked why the SFSS wants to terminate its membership with the CFS. “Essentially, being members of a national organization costs us, like, $1.6 million per year.”

Shamus Reid, B.C. chair of the CFS, said he wasn’t prepared to make a statement. “We’re just waiting on a full briefing from our legal counsel, and then I’d be happy to comment,” Reid said.