News Release

Attorney General Applauds Ontario's Growing Pro Bono Culture

New And Innovative Programs To Increase Access To Justice

November 16, 2006

News

TORONTO — Ontario Attorney General Michael Bryant is recognizing Ontario's legal community for its success in promoting pro bono services — free legal work offered "for the public good."

Speaking at the First National Pro Bono Conference in Toronto today, Bryant commended, among others, The Advocates' Society for its plan to bring the French concept of "Maison de la Justice" — House of Justice — to Ontario.

"Pro bono work is increasingly becoming a part of many lawyers' everyday working lives," said Bryant. "Ontario's first House of Justice will reflect the true spirit of working for the public good, and I congratulate The Advocates' Society for its initiative in bringing the concept to this province."

The program allows people with all kinds of legal issues to get free expert information and referrals. Experienced lawyers provide one-on-one guidance so citizens can learn how to access the legal resources and services they need. Quebec has also piloted the concept, which is used throughout France.

"We laud the attorney general's vision of a made-in-Ontario House of Justice that will improve access to justice for the public," said Michael Barrack, president of The Advocates' Society. "We also expect it will attract lawyers willing to volunteer their time pro bono to help people with a range of legal issues."

The McGuinty government has a range of pro bono projects that are underway under the leadership of a Ministry of the Attorney General task force. The task force has been working for the past two years on innovative ways to give Ontario's 1,400 Crown lawyers the opportunity to work in the community.

The projects include:

• A partnership with Pro Bono Law Ontario and the Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation to bring free legal support to remote First Nations communities across northwestern Ontario. The Telejustice Project is an interactive anonymous online question and answer service connecting legal workers in the North with government experts
• Participating in the Adopt-a-School program, with the Ontario Justice Education Network and the Toronto District School Board. Lawyers act as a resource for secondary school civics and law teachers, make presentations, take part in panel discussions, coach students for mock trials, provide information about justice careers and act as the school's link to broader justice education resources
• Developing a new advocacy training program, where government lawyers teach law students about providing legal services to low-income citizens
• Offering pro bono mediation to eligible charitable and non-profit organizations in conjunction with the Volunteer Lawyers Service of Ontario
• Creating a statement of principles to empower government lawyers to do pro bono work and provide guidance on activities consistent with the obligations of Crown lawyers as public servants.

"As members of the legal profession, we have the unique opportunity and the privilege to work for the betterment of society," Bryant said. "Thanks to the efforts of organizations such as Pro Bono Law Ontario, the Law Foundation of Ontario, The Advocates' Society, the Law Society of Upper Canada and various law firms and individual lawyers, the shift to a pro bono legal culture in Ontario is fast picking up pace."

Contacts

Greg Crone
Minister's Office
(416) 326-1785

Brendan Crawley
Communications Branch
(416) 326-2210

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