New And Innovative Programs To Increase Access To Justice

    TORONTO, Nov. 16 /CNW/ - 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.

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    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.
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    "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."

    Disponible en français

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                      www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca
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For further information: Greg Crone, Ministry of the Attorney General, Minister's Office, (416) 326-1785; Brendan Crawley, Ministry of the Attorney General, Communications Branch, (416) 326-2210