Author: Legal Aid Ontario

Rapport annuel de gestion 2013-14 de la Commission des services juridiques Learn more The Commission des services juridiques (site is available in English) is the agency responsible for applying Québec’s Act respecting legal aid and the provision of certain other legal services and for ensuring that legal aid is provided to any eligible person who applies for it. […]

Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission 2013/14 Annual Report

Annual Report NBLASC – CSAJNB Rapport annuel 2013-2014

2012-13 Annual Report of the Legal Services Board NWT

TORONTO, Oct. 11, 2013 – The Association of Legal Aid Plans of Canada applauds a new report by the Action Committee on Access to Justice in Civil and Family Matters. “Access to justice is at a critical stage in Canada,” said Bob Ward, Chair of the Association of Legal Aid Plans. “The Action Committee’s report […]

The Association of Legal Aid Plans of Canada (ALAP) is pleased to announce that the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) will be partnering with one of ALAP’s member plans, Legal Aid Ontario (LAO), which is piloting a training program set to begin later this year. “ALAP is increasingly concerned that Canadians with mental illness […]

Bill C-37 passed third reading in the Senate on April 30th with no amendments recommended. In March, ALAP sent a letter to the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, available below.

Expanded duty counsel (EDC) is an approach to providing duty counsel services that attempts to move matters quickly at the early stages of the court system, often achieving early resolutions prior to a written application for full legal aid service. Expanded duty counsel differs from the traditional facilitating model in that duty counsel lawyers are assigned to the same court on a continuous basis so they are able to see the same client on more than one initial appearance. This allows the lawyer to resolve straightforward cases quickly where the client is able to do so at the early stages of the court process without an application for legal aid and the assignment of a private bar lawyer on a certificate or staff counsel. When early resolution is achieved the client will not need to apply for full representation legal aid. If the matter is not able to be resolved EDC will move the matter forward by accomplishing major steps such as bail applications, disclosure motions, applications for full service and referrals to community resources.

Legal Aid Program Evaluation Final Report (PDF Version, 595 KB, PDF Help) Management Response and Action Plan (PDF Version, 16 KB, PDF Help)