In brief: News for lawyers

Following a consultation in summer 2023, Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) has implemented minimum experience requirements for the Ontario Review Board (ORB) roster. The introduction of meaningful requirements will support clients accessing high-quality legal aid services specific to their needs. These requirements were created in consultation with service providers, the public and experts in the provision…

The information on this page is out of date, please refer to the following page for the most up to date information. Updated instructions for submitting BOC forms. On November 2, 2023 LAO issued a B3: Better Billing Bulletin clarifying new requirements for billing the preparation and filling of the Basis of Claim (BOC) in…

Starting January 2024, Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) will be introducing optional enhanced training for members of LAO’s roster geared to those who provide criminal legal aid services. This training will provide roster members the opportunity to further strengthen their knowledge and quality of service when providing criminal legal aid services to youth clients charged under…

Legal Aid Ontario has raised the amount paid to lawyers who provide legal aid services in remote northern areas. On Oct. 16, the Guaranteed Daily Rate increased by five percent for: Services rendered in fly in locations or locations at least 200 km from a lawyer’s regular place of business, and the place where the…

To support efficiency in bail courts, Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) now has an expedited process for habeas corpus application certificates. While LAO already covers habeas corpus applications, this new expedited process for bail hearings allows for a simplified application process and timelier response. Criteria for application The new application is to be submitted in cases…

Legal Aid Ontario’s amendments to the fees it pays its roster members comes into effect today. Beginning today, LAO is increasing the hourly rates for roster lawyers and the amount paid for block fees. increasing the number of hours allocated under the hourly tariff. allowing per diem duty counsel to bill according to their…

LAO is working to attract and retain lawyers to provide high-quality services to legally aided clients. This is why, effective October 16, 2023, LAO is improving the compensation structure for private bar lawyers who are paid to do legal aid work. The compensation structure for legal aid lawyers in Ontario has remained largely unchanged over the…

The information on this page is out of date, please refer to the following page for the most up to date information. Updated instructions for submitting BOC forms. Basis of Claim (BOC) upload and Refugee Protection Division (RPD) hearing authorization requests: requirements Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) is writing to notify roster members providing refugee law…

LAO to consult on minimum experience requirements for Ontario Review Board roster Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) is consulting on introducing minimum experience requirements (MERs) in the Legal Aid Services Rules for the existing Ontario Review Board roster. At the same time, LAO proposes revoking the unimplemented MERs for youth criminal and criminal mental health sub-authorization….

LAO to consult on implementation date change for youth criminal and criminal mental health requirements Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) is consulting on a new implementation date of Jan. 1, 2024, for two new areas of law—youth criminal and criminal mental health matters. Under the Legal Aid Services Rules, the effective date was originally June 1,…