These telephone calls come from a live and knowledgeable Santa, fully primed with the child's personal details and well familiar with his or her naughtiest and nicest moments.

Sarah Klinger, 31, co-chair of the Young Lawyers, a subsection of the B.C. Branch of the Canadian Bar Association set up to represent lawyers newly called to the bar, explained the credibility of the telephone call is established with evidence supplied by moms and dads.

Parents fill in a form answering simple questions about a child, for example, the names of best pals, pets, or siblings. And this information is then provided to "Santa" to make his call.

Male lawyers, senior enough to have developed the appropriate voice, will make the Santa call. But Klinger said if the response is big enough, women lawyers may be enlisted to call as Mrs. Claus.

In the past, results have proved spectacular.

For example, said Klinger, one small boy was telephoned during a night of tantrums and sassiness. The judicially administered telephone call from the supreme judge of naughty and nice meant the boy underwent some sincere rehabilitation within minutes.

"Let's just say he was much better behaved after that," said Klinger.

The telephone calls are meant to be strictly for fun. So Santa will not guarantee any particular toy or gift. The conversation will be restricted to topics such as behaviour, the reindeer, elves or Mrs. Claus.

Klinger said it's understood some parents may have some security concerns about sending out their child's personal information. So questions are all optional.

But for those parents who do opt for that extra bit of credibility, Klinger said the information sheets will be destroyed after the call. Furthermore, all lawyers taking part will treat the information with same confidentiality they afford their clients.

"We take [confidentiality] very seriously," said Klinger. "Santa's oath applies to this program."

Calls will be made between 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Dec. 19 to 23. After the call, Santa will ask to speak with the Mom or Dad to confirm the call was made.

To arrange for a call, information packets can be picked up at any Fairway market, or at the concierge desk of the Mayfair Shopping Centre, or send a request to younglawyersvictoria@gmail.com.

All forms and donations must be received by Dec. 14.

Illustration:
Colour Photo: Ray Smith, Times Colonist / Sarah Klinger is part of group of lawyers who arrange phone calls from Santa Claus.