Clinic modernization 2020‑21 closed

New framework for the delivery of legal aid services by community legal clinics

Overview

With the passing of the Legal Aid Services Act, 2020 (LASA 2020), LAO must implement a clear framework for the delivery of legal aid services by community legal clinics serving communities throughout Ontario. The new framework is an important part of LAO’s Modernization Project, which aims to update and modernize Ontario’s legal aid system and allow LAO to be more responsive to community needs.

The new framework must align with LAO’s accountabilities under:

The LASA 2020
The Transfer Payment Accountability Directive (TPAD)
The recommendations of the Auditor General of Ontario’s Value for Money Audit of LAO (2018)

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Read consultation paper
Detailed overview of the first stage of this project

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Read consultation slide deck
High-level overview of the first stage of the project

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Read consultation questions
Consultation areas and questions

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Questions and answers
Updated: Sept. 8, 2020

Purpose of consultation

We are looking for feedback from our justice partners to help us establish a new framework for LAO’s oversight of the delivery of legal aid services by community legal clinics.

Consultation timeline

The work on the new framework will be divided into two stages. The first priority (stage 1) is to work on the framework elements that have specific timelines established by the amendments to the existing legislation (e.g. agreements ending on April 1, 2021) and that must be in place for the LASA 2020 to come into force.

Stage 1: The focus will be on the following elements of the framework:

LAO Board Rules and policies
A new process to determine services to be provided by clinics (to replace the funding application)
LAO-clinic agreement

Adaptation and refinement of the elements above is expected to continue after the new legislation comes into force.

Stage 2: A second stage of work, developing a new approach to allocating funding to communities, will take place at a later date, after LASA 2020 comes into force. (Not part of the current consultation)

This current consultation is a part of stage 1, and will be divided into three phases:

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