Changes to Legal Aid

Feb 18, 2010

By Susan Irwin, Executive Director / Lawyer, Rural Legal Services

Significant changes are coming to Legal Aid Ontario. The most dramatic changes will be noticed initially by people seeking Legal Aid Certificates to retain lawyers in Criminal or Family Law matters as set out in the following information release from Legal Aid Ontario.

At Rural Legal Services we shall still be offering the full range of clinic law services, and at least until further notice, taking applications for Legal Aid Certificates.

TRANSFORMING CLIENT SERVICE DELIVERY

Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) is transforming how it delivers services across the province. In keeping with our mandate to provide high-quality and cost-efficient legal aid services, LAO is making greater use of technology, streamlining administration and increasing front-line client services to make legal aid help and information more easily available for low-income Ontarians in Frontenac County.

IMPROVING LAO MANAGEMENT

Legal Aid Ontario’s new district model improves the coordination of legal aid services across the province. The County of Frontenac is now part of the Durham-Frontenac District in the Central and Eastern Region and Wendy Joy Bird, District Area Director, is responsible for the management and oversight of legal aid services in this county. Wendy is based in the District Area Office in Peterborough, which will act as a district hub -- supporting clinics, lawyers and duty counsel, managing client services and building partnerships with justice sector stakeholders.

LAO SERVICES AVAILABLE TOLL-FREE

Low-income Ontarians in this county can connect to a full range of legal aid services and information through our toll-free number (Dial 1-800-668-8258, and press 0). Legal aid staff at our client service centre help callers with their legal aid issues, or direct them to the right resource. Services include providing information on client files, summary legal advice for eligible clients, financial assessments, and taking legal aid applications. LAO’s toll-free number also allows residents access to legal aid services through pay phones, no coins required. Legal aid help and information are available in 120 languages, including 18 Aboriginal, through the use of instant translation services.

Offering a full range of services over the phone helps alleviate common client problems surrounding transportation, travel costs, delays and cancelled appointments. The multilingual feature is well suited to this growing community with many new immigrants. Lawyers who work with LAO are also encouraged to use the toll-free number as a key resource.

MORE DIRECT LEGAL AID SERVICES

LAO is improving services in the courts. As part of the Justice on Target initiative, the province’s strategy to reduce court delays by 30 per cent, LAO has established an office in the Kingston courthouse to assist clients with their legal aid matters. More direct client services are also available through the duty counsel program, for which LAO will be providing more support in the coming months. Duty counsel provide immediate legal assistance to low-income people who appear in court without a lawyer.

IMPROVED WEBSITE

LAO’s new website (www.legalaid.on.ca) provides detailed information on legal aid services and includes a specific section on Aboriginal legal issues. Community legal clinic contact information, duty counsel office locations as well as links to a wide range of family law and social assistance resources are also available.

MODERNIZATION PROJECTS

LAO is improving services by incorporating available technologies. Simplified Online Application Portal (SOAP), our online application and eligibility process, helps clients get legal aid representation more quickly.

LAO is also continually improving its online services for lawyers who do legal aid work. These initiatives allow for immediate action to be taken on legal aid cases, thereby promoting faster resolution, and supporting the province’s Justice on Target strategy to reduce court delays by 30 per cent.

Legal Aid Ontario is committed to maintaining a permanent presence in Frontenac County and working with our partners in this county as we continue to make the needs of low-income Ontarians a priority. 

Legalese is a column of general information and opinion on legal topics by the lawyers of Rural Legal Services, Box 359, Sharbot Lake, ON, K0H2P0, 613-279-3252, or 1-888-777-8916. This column is not intended to provide legal advice. You should contact a lawyer to determine your legal rights and obligations.