In brief: News for lawyers

As part of the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, LAO is making temporary changes to our billing policies together with other business supports and information for service providers.

As part of the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, LAO is working to offer more business support and information to service providers. Please bookmark this page and check back often to see what additional supports have been created to help you. Billings and payments Billing deadlines are extended for accounts due between March 16, 2020…

We recognize that you may be having difficulty getting the information you need to complete your 2019 lawyer self‑report due to the current situation with respect to COVID‑19. As a result, we have extended the deadline for you to file report to May 31, 2020. If you have questions or require further assistance, please email panels@lao.on.ca.

As part of LAO’s continuing response to COVID-19, lawyers may apply for legal aid coverage on behalf of in-custody clients requesting temporary absence permits and other release remedies available at the federal and provincial levels. A new application form is available on our website. This coverage, first announced March 31, has been expanded to include…

In addition to business supports LAO is providing lawyers announced March 26, and as part of our ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, lawyers across Ontario may, temporarily, apply for legal aid on behalf of clients that are in custody, when clients cannot. This practice, already in effect at the Toronto South Detention Centre, is being…

As part of our ongoing response to the COVID‑19 pandemic, Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) is working to offer more business support and information to lawyers. We are committed to instituting interim business solutions, and are eager to work with you while cooperating with the courts and Ministry of the Attorney General to maintain access to justice….

In recognition of the high risk that detained clients may face from the COVID-19 pandemic, our refugee law offices are giving priority to legal services for clients in immigration detention. Staff counsel in Toronto and Hamilton are available to provide detention review hearing representation to clients in immigration detention in central, southern or northern Ontario…

Working with justice partners, Legal Aid Ontario is taking steps to ensure the safety of our clients, staff and stakeholders in our effort against COVID-19 (coronavirus), as well as the continuity of service.

Bill C‑75 amendments to the Criminal Code of Canada include the hybridization of about 118 straight indictable offences, and standardization of a new maximum term of imprisonment for the majority of summary conviction offences to two years, less a day. Legal Aid Online will be updated to reflect this on February 23rd. Changes will include: Adding “Summary Conviction” to the election…

As of February 3, 2020, LAO’s Family Case Management program is expanding to include: family or domestic cases likely to cost more than $12,000, including fees and disbursements child protection cases likely to cost more than $8,000, including fees and disbursements This is in addition to helping lawyers manage costly and complex CYFSA‑extended society care…