Access to Justice

Psychosis and Police: a dangerous mix

• August 26, 2020
• Kimberly Srivastava
• Comments Off on Psychosis and Police: a dangerous mix

There has been a lot in the news lately about who is best positioned to respond to those experiencing a mental health crisis. “Wellness checks” are best done by those who have proper training to provide assistance to those being checked in on. » Read the rest

Have Your Say: Help Create Accessibility Standards

• August 10, 2020
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Have Your Say: Help Create Accessibility Standards

Accessibility Canada is looking for participants to help shape accessibility standards aimed at addressing barriers faced by Canadians with disabilities in the following areas:

• employment
• the built environment
• information and communication technologies
• communication, other than information and communication technologies
• the procurement of goods, services and facilities
• the design and delivery of programs and services
• transportation

Check this website of opportunities to get involved and have your say (link).

Accessing and Preparing for Virtual Hearings

• August 6, 2020
• Kimberly Srivastava
• Comments Off on Accessing and Preparing for Virtual Hearings

Are you participating in an upcoming remote hearing? Wondering what to do and how to prepare? Check out these resources on Best Practices for Virtual Hearings (link). These resources may be particularly helpful for self-represented litigants.

If you have an upcoming hearing and are looking for a consultation, we might be able to help. » Read the rest

Huronia Regional Centre Survivors Dissatisfied with Class-Action Results

• August 4, 2020
• Kimberly Srivastava
• Comments Off on Huronia Regional Centre Survivors Dissatisfied with Class-Action Results

The Huronia Regional Centre was formerly an institution for persons with developmental disabilities. Residents were subjected to a multitude of abuses while residing at the Centre. These abuses ranged from physical, emotional and sexual. Former residents of the home brought a class-action lawsuit against the Province to secure some measure of justice for the abuses they endured at the Centre. » Read the rest

Changes At Bakerlaw

• July 29, 2020
• David Baker
• Comments Off on Changes At Bakerlaw

Bakerlaw is pleased to announce that it has been growing, regionalizing and adding new leadership.

Starting today it begins a second stage to the achievement of these goals, projected to extend over the coming year that will include the addition of experienced litigators, the launching of an access to justice initiative and working collaboratively to establish a law and policy centre that will be involved in research, international consulting and graduate level education. » Read the rest

Cuts to provincial funding result in backlogs, delays for administrative tribunals

• December 13, 2019
• Amanda Dimilta
• Comments Off on Cuts to provincial funding result in backlogs, delays for administrative tribunals

Administrative tribunals were created to offer expertise in specialized areas of law, and to be an accessible alternative to civil court proceedings for the residents of Ontario. These tribunals manage disputes related to landlord and tenant issues, employment discrimination, access to public education, and availability of social benefits, among many others. » Read the rest

New changes to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board as of October 1, 2019

• September 27, 2019
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on New changes to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board as of October 1, 2019

The Government of Ontario announced plans to enhance the Victim Quick Response Program (VQRP) to replace the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (CICB). The program will be known as the Victim Quick Response Program + (VQRP+), which builds on the existing VQRP program by making it easier for victims and their families to access services and supports and getting them support faster. » Read the rest

Unbundling legal services

• August 22, 2019
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Unbundling legal services

The Law Society of Ontario (formerly the Law Society of Upper Canada) published an article related to professional obligations regarding unbundling legal services. You can read this article here (link).

Unbundling legal services are limited scope retainers whereby the client and their attorney agree to limit the scope of the attorney’s involvement in the legal matter. » Read the rest

Clear line drawn on appropriate judicial and adjudicator activity in support of equality seeking groups: engaging with politicians and trying to persuade them to reach specific policy outcomes

• April 16, 2019
• Anoop Kalsi
• Comments Off on Clear line drawn on appropriate judicial and adjudicator activity in support of equality seeking groups: engaging with politicians and trying to persuade them to reach specific policy outcomes

On December 20, 2018, the Ontario Judicial Counsel handed down a decision clearing the Honourable Justice Donald McLeod of judicial misconduct.

A finding of judicial misconduct can only be made where any breach of the standards of judicial conduct by the judge was “so seriously contrary to impartiality, integrity and independence of the judiciary that it has undermined the public’s confidence in the judge’s ability to perform the duties of office or in the administration of justice generally.” » Read the rest

Students and Alumni Rally Against University of Toronto Law Tuition

• December 11, 2018
• Laura Lepine
• Comments Off on Students and Alumni Rally Against University of Toronto Law Tuition

Current and former University of Toronto law students are frustrated about rising tuition costs, which are driving students into greater debt and reducing socioeconomic diversity in the profession.

David Baker, who has advocated on behalf of alumni against rising, prohibitive tuition costs, was recently featured in an article by Anita Balakrishnan in the Law Times, entitled “Alumni, students decry U of T’s law school fees”, which can be read here (link). » Read the rest