Access to Justice

Court Challenges Program – A Call to Action

• March 2, 2017
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Court Challenges Program – A Call to Action

Further to David Baker’s comments on the reinstatement of the Court Challenges Program (see our previous blog post here (link)), read this letter (link) to the Minister in charge of the program.

The letter calls on the Minister to confirm the mandate of the program and ensure it is as strong and committed to equality as the former program was. » Read the rest

David Baker’s Comments on U of T Law School Tuition

• February 14, 2017
• David Baker
• Comments Off on David Baker’s Comments on U of T Law School Tuition

After years of trying to work for change within the system, I have decided that it is time to speak up.

While other law schools and professional faculties are far from blameless, it was U of T Law that broke the mould and took the leap towards charging what the market would bear. » Read the rest

An Open Letter to the Law Society of Upper Canada

• February 14, 2017
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on An Open Letter to the Law Society of Upper Canada

David Baker has authored the below open letter to the Law Society of Upper Canada. Regarding the danger of false advertising and the problems associated with the lack of an objective assessment regarding the quality of service provided by a lawyer. » Read the rest

David Baker on the Court Challenges Program and what it means for Bakerlaw and for Equality Seekers Across Canada

• February 14, 2017
• David Baker
• Comments Off on David Baker on the Court Challenges Program and what it means for Bakerlaw and for Equality Seekers Across Canada

Bakerlaw currently has 4 Charter cases on the go with 8 more ready to go pending the reinstatement of the Court Challenges Program (CCP). Each case will be described on this website when it is known to be proceeding and with consent from the client(s). » Read the rest

Legal Resources

• January 23, 2017
• BakerLaw
• 1 Comment

Not sure if you need a lawyer? Want to learn a bit more about your situation from a legal point of view before retaining a lawyer? Check out some of these helpful legal resources.

What is discrimination? The Ontario Human Rights Commission website provides information as to the codes grounds for discrimination and other aspects of the Ontario Human Rights Code. » Read the rest

Contingency Fee Agreement Study

• January 19, 2017
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Contingency Fee Agreement Study

Professor Allan Hutchinson recently released “A Study of the Costs of Legal Services in Personal Injury Litigation in Ontario” (link). Prof. Hutchinson examines the use of contingency retainers and evaluates the benefit of such agreements. If you don’t have time to read the full report, this article summarizes the report here (link). » Read the rest

Promising News from the Court Challenges Program

• January 8, 2016
• Kimberly Srivastava
• Comments Off on Promising News from the Court Challenges Program

Bakerlaw is pleased to announce that it has received encouraging news regarding the reinstatement of the Court Challenges Program of Canada (CCPC).  Linda Jones, Chair of the Board of Directors of CCPC, has recently announced that the Liberal Government appears to be making progress on their election promise to renew funding to the CCPC. » Read the rest

Interesting Links

• April 10, 2014
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Interesting Links

We’re happy to share information* about related institutions and organizations engaged in social justice advocacy.  Here is a sampling of links you may be interested in:

LEGAL

• Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
• Ontario Legal Aid
• Ontario Ministry of Labour – Employment Standards
• Canadian Legal Information Institute
• HIV and AIDS Legal Clinic (Ontario)
• Ontario Human Rights Commission
• Canadian Human Rights Commission
• Supreme Court of Canada
• Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO)

DISABILITY

• The Canadian National Institute for the Blind
• ARCH Disability Law Centre
• Council for Canadians with Disabilities (CCD)
• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
• Canadian Spinal Research Organization
• DisAbled Women’s Network Ontario
• Ontario Brain Injury Association
• Disability Research Information Page
• Ethno-Racial People with Disabilities Coalition of Ontario (ERDCO)
• VoicePrint Canada – Broadcast Reading Service
• Epilepsy Toronto
• Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)

JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS

• Democracy Watch
• Canada Without Poverty
• Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation
• Human Rights Internet
• Human Rights Watch
• Lawyers for Social Responsibility
• Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF)
• Centre for Social Justice
• Amnesty International Canada

*These links are here for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsements. » Read the rest

Law Society Should Rethink Two-Tier Articling System

• October 28, 2013
• BakerLaw
• Comments Off on Law Society Should Rethink Two-Tier Articling System

Toronto, ON, October 28, 2013 — The Law Society of Upper Canada has been compelled to respond to disturbing evidence that its articling requirement is an impenetrable barrier for many qualified law graduates. Unless an articling position can be found within 2 years of completing law school, students already burdened with debt and hard earned expectations are removed from the licensing process. » Read the rest

Cara Wilkie Speaks about Access to Justice at Law Society Event

• September 8, 2009
• David Baker
• Comments Off on Cara Wilkie Speaks about Access to Justice at Law Society Event

In honour of the recent National Access Awareness Week, the Law Society and ARCH Disability Law Centre hosted a forum and reception on access to justice for people with disabilities. Bakerlaw’s Cara Wilkie was pleased to speak at the event, which featured a number of leading legal experts and a presentation by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. » Read the rest