Minimum experience requirements for criminal youth and criminal mental health – implementation date change closed

LASA 2020 consultation: Minimum experience requirements for criminal youth and criminal mental health – implementation date change.

Overview

In August 2022, LAO introduced minimum experience requirements (MER) that roster lawyers must meet to deliver legal aid services in specific areas of law, replacing its prior panel standards.

LAO also created minimum requirements for youth criminal and criminal mental health—two areas of law that did not exist under the previous standards.

Minimum experience requirements help LAO provide clients with access to high-quality legal aid services specific to their needs.

Under the Rules, the implementation date for the two new MER was originally June 1, 2023.

LAO is proposing a new implementation date of Jan. 1, 2024, which will improve the ease of implementation and consistency of application for the new minimum experience requirements.

The new date will also align with roster members reporting through LAO’s annual Lawyer Self-Report, which will simplify administrative processes for lawyers.

As per section 46 of the Legal Aid Services Act, 2020, LAO is required to post a proposed Rule change on its website for public feedback.

CONSULTATION MATERIALS

We encourage you to review the consultation materials prior to providing a written submission. Materials include:

• Change in rule A draft of the rule change to amend the implementation date.

Purpose of consultation

We are looking for feedback from our justice partners about the change in the implementation date for the new MER.

It is important that our work be informed by meaningful consultation and dialogue.

CONSULTATION DATES

Start: April 17, 2023

End: May 17, 2023

How to participate in the consultations

If you are interested in participating in the consultation, you may provide a written submission.

Review the consultation materials and submit your written responses to consultation@lao.on.ca. When submitting your responses, please include the subject line: “Written submission – Minimum experience requirements – Youth Criminal and Mental Health – Implementation Date Change.”

Outcome of the consultations

For information on the results of this consultation, visit:

• Outcome of consultation: Minimum experience requirements for criminal youth and criminal mental health – implementation date change
• Public consultation feedback summary: Minimum experience requirements for criminal youth and criminal mental health — implementation date change

Join our consultation registry

We are committed to engaging in public consultations to better understand the needs of our clients and enhance service delivery. We value inclusiveness and encourage anyone interested in providing feedback to join our consultation registry to be notified about upcoming consultations. To learn more, visit our website.