2021

After changes enacted due to COVID-19, LAO is returning to its standard Change of Solicitor process and its standard Contribution Agreement process.

LAO has released data regarding the racial makeup of clients who use legal aid certificate services. In 2018, LAO began to ask clients to voluntarily indicate their racial identity, and 85% of clients were willing to do so. The LAO compiled the race-based data over the 2019-20 fiscal year in all areas of law, and has now publicized this information.

The Ministry of the Attorney General has advised the OBA that amendments to the Solicitors Act relating to contingency fees are now scheduled to come into force on July 1, 2021. 

Commencing Thursday October 8, 2020, all 14 division bail matters supporting Old City Hall (courtrooms 111 and 114) will proceed by JVN webRTC video for all justice participants. This follows the September 9 soft launch of the video bail pilot at 14 division.

The Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee (JAAC) has advised it is inviting applications for a judicial position in Newmarket. “This appointment involves presiding over criminal law matters and also involves travel within the regional boundaries and elsewhere in the province of Ontario, as assigned by the Regional Senior Justice and/or the Chief Justice. Applications must be on the current prescribed form and RECEIVED BY 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21, 2020.

Commencing Wednesday, September 9, 2020, there will be a soft launch of the video bail pilot at 14 division in courtrooms 111 (provincial matters) and 114 (federal matters) at Old City Hall.

Commencing Monday, August 24, 2020, all 23 division bail matters supporting 2201 Finch will take place by webRTC video, including consent and contested bails, as well as remands.

On July 29, the provincial government released its plan to improve the child welfare system, with an overall strategy to focus on prevention and early intervention with the goal of keeping more families together. The five pillars of the strategy to redesign the system include: community-based prevention services, improving the quality of residential care provided to children and youth, education and employment opportunities, improving the adoption experience, and financial sustainability.

As of July 26, 2020, lawyers will now be able to bill Legal Aid Online for COVID JPT and Myers (s.525) reviews as a part of LAO’s emergency response for the COVID-19 pandemic.