LAO to double compensation for bail hearings for block fee and tariff matters in recognition of longer bail hearings

Temporary support part of COVID-19 response

Published: February 2, 2021

With the move to virtual hearings during COVID‑19, Legal Aid Ontario recognizes bail hearings are taking significantly longer to prepare for and conduct.

To account for this increase in time, LAO will double compensation for bail hearings for block fee and tariff matters on certificates issued on or after January 1, 2021.

This temporary support is part of LAO’s COVID‑19 response and not intended as a permanent increase.

The increase acknowledges counsel’s important work and dedication to effective representation of LAO clients at bail, and highlights our commitment to vulnerable, Indigenous and racialized clients who are overrepresented in custody and on remand.

While we make the necessary updates to our billing system to accommodate the change, we encourage counsel to take on bail matters at the new 4‑hour rate. We ask that counsel wait to bill the matters until we advise you to do so. We anticipate this will be no later than February 28, 2021.

For further information, contact Simone Bern, staff lawyer, Policy and Strategic Research.