LAO now covers bail transcripts for habeas corpus applications without advance authorization

Published: April 30, 2024

Starting April 30, 2024, Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) will cover the bail court/adjournment transcripts once a habeas corpus application certificate for bail is issued.

What’s covered

LAO will cover the bail court/adjournment transcripts in an electronic format at the expedited rate of $8.80/page up to a maximum of $300 without the need for counsel to request authorization in advance.

If the transcripts exceed $300, counsel may submit their request for additional coverage to gencasemgmt@lao.on.ca.

Roster members must forward the transcript invoice to gencasemgmt@lao.on.ca prior to billing to allow the transcript disbursement expense to be added to the certificate.

Habeas corpus certificates for delayed bail hearings issued after April 30, 2024 will include the following direction: “Authorized to obtain copy of bail court/adjournment transcripts.”

Habeas corpus applications

On October 23, 2023, LAO implemented an expedited process for habeas corpus application certificates.

These applications can be submitted in cases where a client was ready to proceed with a bail hearing, but the hearing was adjourned due to court or Crown unavailability.

More information

New expedited habeas corpus certificate application process for bail hearings – Legal Aid Ontario