Check out top stories on issues of Access to Justice with our new Digest.
In this edition you will find a compilation of articles that examine how to bring conversations about access to justice to the forefront, from greater investments, to a greater call for federal justice reform.
Investing in Justice Report, Canadian Forum on Civil Justice
A major report published by the Canadian Forum on Civil Justice (CFCJ) published this fall, examining the return on investment in access to justice.
The report concludes that, “across a diversity of justice programs, services and mechanisms around the world, spending on justice results in significant economic and other benefits that generally significantly exceed the value of the investment.” In most cases, the rate of return on investment in justice services and programs is between CAD $9 and $16 for every CAD $1 that is spent.”
View it HERE.
Legal aid investments save governments money all over the world, Canadian researchers find, Law Times
Law Times’ website and newsletter editor, Anita Balakrishnan, provides a summary of the Canadian Forum on Civil Justice’s report Investing in Justice. Find an overview on the return on investment in access to justice, how to bring access to justice issues to the forefront, and next steps.
A wish list for federal justice reform, Canadian Lawyer
Criminal law specialist and partner at Abergel Goldstein & Partners, Michael Spratt, presents a wish list of justice action for Canada’s 43rd parliament including: increased legal aid funding, correctional reform, pardon legislation and more.
Scott McCannell: B.C.’s front-line legal aid lawyers ignored, Vancouver Sun
Scott McCannell, Executive Director of the Professional Employees Association, representing staff lawyers at the Legal Services Society, discusses LSS staff lawyers decision to vote in favour of strike action.
“B.C.'s legal aid crisis has reached a tipping point. More than a decade of underfunding and the significant cuts made by the previous government have added up.”