Project group funded by Law Foundation of Ontario launches website to improve access to family justice

TORONTO, March 20, 2019 /CNW/ - A new website designed to help Ontarians with their family law needs launched on February 12. Now, members of the public can go to FamilyLawLSS.ca to access a roster of trained lawyers who are willing and able to provide such services.

The Family Law Limited Scoe Services Project aims to improve access to family justice for middle and lower income Ontarians by increasing the use of limited scope services, also known as "unbundled" legal services, in family law. These services provide an affordable option between full representation and no representation at all, where the lawyer only takes on specific responsibilities agreed to between the lawyer and the client.

In over half of the family cases in Canada's courts, one or both parties appear without a lawyer. Inability to afford full legal representation is the most significant factor, but other reasons include the rise of "do it yourself" social attitudes, the increasing availability of self-help information and a perception among some self-represented litigants that having a lawyer does not necessarily get them better results.

The new website is designed to:

• Help people to decide if limited scope services may be an option for them
• Provide practical tools, such as checklists, flow charts, and a guide on how to hire a lawyer who will provide limited scope services
• Provide resources and referral information for family legal services in Ontario
• Provide lawyers with information and precedent materials, including retainer agreements, file opening checklists and other precedents
• List upcoming training opportunities for lawyers.

Funded by the Law Foundation of Ontario, the Family Law Limited Scope Services Project is an unprecedented, private-bar driven collaborative effort. Its Advisory Committee is made up of members from the Ontario Bar Association Family Law Section, the Federation of Ontario Law Associations, the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts - Ontario Chapter, the Advocates' Society, the Family Lawyers Association, the Superior Court of Justice and Ontario Court of Justice, as well as experts in non-traditional legal services delivery and researchers.

This collaboration of key justice sector players, with input from leading justice and legal organizations, ensures that the information and resources available on FamilyLawLSS.ca meet the needs of Ontarians.

SOURCE The Law Society of Ontario

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]