In brief: News for lawyers

As part of our ongoing response to COVID-19, LAO has temporarily reinstated certificate coverage for substitute decision makers (SDM) in Consent and Capacity Board (CCB) end-of-life proceedings. Until further notice, applications for this coverage will be expedited, and financial eligibility requirements waived for the SDM or the incapable person. If an applicant does not have a lawyer…

Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) is committed to the professional development of private bar lawyers who take on legal aid work. Our second chair mentorship program permits new and mid career lawyers to learn from the knowledge and experience of senior lawyers on interesting and complex cases. Serving as ‘second chair’ on a case, new or…

Due to routine maintenance and system upgrades, Legal Aid Online will be unavailable March 27, April 16 (from 5 pm ET) ‑18 and May 15‑16 2021. We thank you for your understanding.

Legal Aid Ontario has launched a new program that uses both private practice and LAO staff lawyers to provide legal representation to all unrepresented immigration detainees in their detention review hearings. The Immigration Detention Representation Program (IDRP) is a free service available to anyone in immigration detention in Ontario who would like representation in a…

Lawyers can now submit invoices through Legal Aid Online for bail hearings for block fee and tariff matters on certificates issued on or after January 1, 2021. LAO announced that it was doubling compensation for virtual bail hearings last month in recognition of bail hearings taking significantly longer to prepare for and conduct during COVID‑19. This…

This is a news posting. Please read the update “COVID-19: Update on temporary certificate authorizations for immigration matters” for up-to-date information. The following authorizations have been extended until September 30, 2021. An additional two hours will continue to be added to all new Basis of Claim certificates. Lawyers may now request an additional two hours…

Please be reminded to send all mail to Legal Aid Ontario’s provincial office in Toronto. All legal aid staff offices are currently closed due to COVID‑19, and any correspondence sent to the local legal aid offices may be delayed. Upload your information to Legal Aid Online, or mail or fax information to: Legal Aid Ontario…

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…

The annual self-report for panel lawyers is now available in the Personal Info section of Legal Aid Online. Complete yours by March 31, 2021 to renew your legal aid panel membership, confirm ongoing compliance with panel standards, and to update your panel standing. In recognition of COVID‑19’s impact, we have made important changes to our…

Refugee claimants who work as frontline healthcare workers may now be able to get help from Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) to apply for permanent residence. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) started a new program called “Healthcare Workers Permanent Residence Pathway” in December 2020 to offer permanent residence to refugee claimants who have worked in…