Information for Lawyers
Resources
Listed below are manuals, handbooks and other items that may be of use to a current or prospective lawyer working in legal aid. If you have any questions or require further information regarding any of the materials posted below then please feel free to contact us.
Acronyms
To assist with communications we've compiled a list of acronyms and other language shortcuts.
Click here for the list
Billing and Payments
Annual Billing Limits - Hard Cap: What are billing limits?
- Updated Feb/05 (PDF 13 KB)
Annual Billing Limit - Hardcap & exemption requests policy framework
- Updated June 2009 (PDF 44 KB)
Better Billing Bulletin - Help Us Pay You Faster!
For news and tips check out the B3 newsletter.
Client & Lawyer Rights and Responsibilities
Client & Lawyer Rights and Responsibilities standards are in place to protect refugee claimants and to better define their relationship with certificate lawyers. Each refugee client will get this document upon completing an application at a legal aid area office.
Disbursements
Disbursements Handbook
Revised on April 21, 2010
Inherent Disbursements
(i.e, not requiring prior approval) - Revised on August 27/09
Disbursements Forms
For disbursement forms please follow this link.
Handbooks and Manuals
access:defence
Teleconferences with in-custody clients (read more)
Procedural manuals for access:defence (PDF 398 KB)
Duty Counsel
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Duty Counsel Manual (PDF 3 MB) |
This manual is intended for both staff and private bar duty counsel lawyers, to outline the policies and procedures for criminal and civil duty counsel services, billing and reporting. The manual assumes that the lawyer is already on a duty counsel panel. |
Refugee
Practice Manual for Refugee Lawyers (PDF 4.4 MB)
Representing claimants before the Refugee Protection Division
Tariff and Billing Handbook
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» Billing Chapter only Note: Information on disbursements can now be found in the Disbursements Handbook |
The handbook is a plain language interpretation of policies, procedures and regulations for legal aid billing and the legal aid tariff. It is intended for lawyers (and their staff) already on a legal aid panel (duty counsel and/or certificate). If you have not yet registered for panel membership, please contact your local Area Director at the Legal Aid office. |
Helpful Tips
Additional hours for SVO hearings
For responding to applications for a Serious Violent Offence determination under Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA)
Consent & Capacity Board (PDF 372 KB)
Helpful tips for lawyers representing clients before the Consent and Capacity Board.
Family Law: Child and Family Services Act (PDF KB)
Helpful tips for lawyers representing clients in proceedings under the Child and Family Services Act.
Immigration and Refugee law services (PDF KB)
Practical tips for representing minors and persons with Mental Health Disorders or Disability before the Immigration Review Board (IRB).
Interpreter Services
Resources for being able to talk or otherwise interact with clients in a number of languages:
- Notice to Profession
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Agencies who administer/provide free interpretation services under the Ministry of Citizenships Domestic Violence Interpreters Program
Cultural/Community Agencies that may provide free interpretation for members of the community they serve
Test Cases
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A test case is a legal proceeding that is representative of a larger number of existing or potential actions. Test cases are brought on behalf of one or more litigants to "test" relevant law, legislation or practices for the benefit of a larger group. Possible Test Cases |
Test Cases - Application Deadlines The following are the tentative dates for the upcoming Group Applications and Test Cases meetings.
Note: Applicants are required to submit their material at least 9 days before the meeting date (5:00 PM Tuesday). |
Training
Training seminars on DVD for Legal Aid Ontario panel members are available at a nominal cost through LAO LAW's website. Once logged in, choose "Learning Opportunities" from the menu.