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Access to Justice is Never More Relevant Than for Those Without Financial Means
December 7, 2021From the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan
Our justice system strives for fair outcomes but legal representation is still beyond some with limited financial means. It is not difficult to imagine how frequently this must be happening when the average hourly rates charged by private practice lawyers in Western Canada range from $197 to $439 depending on years of experience. Saskatchewan residents making minimum wage would have to work 17 to 38 hours to afford 1 hour of legal advice.
In such circumstances, can justice always be present? Considering the complexities of the law and the intricacies of its processes, can an average citizen without legal representation feel confident he/she will obtain a just decision?
The Law Foundation of Saskatchewan (LFS) has for mandate to support organizations and initiatives that promote or create access to justice. It is therefore no surprise to find LFS supporting ProBono Law of Saskatchewan, a non-profit organization providing free legal advice to low-income clients.
Thanks to PBLS, many are spared the danger of facing justice without any legal advice or representation. It offers two programs to low income Saskatchewan residents: (1) Free Legal Clinics and (2) the Panel Program.
At any of the 14 Free Legal Clinics operating across Saskatchewan, clients receive up to one hour of free legal advice from a volunteer lawyer. “Our goal is to help people who cannot afford a lawyer get advice about their legal issue,” says Carly Romanow, PBLS’ Executive Director, who also serves as one of its lawyers. The Free Legal Clinics are run by volunteer lawyers and provide free legal services during preset appointment times. PBLS adapted its approach during the COVID-19 pandemic and turned the in-person appointments into telephone calls. This was appreciated and some clients even commented that telephone appointments are easier because they remove transportation and child care issues.
To make all this happen without remuneration, PBLS must rely both on lawyers who care and want to give back, as well as financial support from external sources. The Law Foundation of Saskatchewan has been PBLS’ main funder since its creation in 2008 and has continued to fund its growth and expansion to serve more clients every year. Romanow expresses the importance of that support in human terms when she explains, “Without LFS’ funding, thousands of Saskatchewan residents would not have access to a lawyer for legal advice,” a statement supported by the 1,810 clients served through PBLS’ Free Legal Clinics and the additional 90 clients who benefited from the Panel Program in 2019.
This direly needed access to justice is what the Law Foundation is mandated to improve, something Carly Romanow gratefully expresses when she says, “LFS funding is essential to creating a more accessible legal system in Saskatchewan. Without LFS funds, programs like PBLS would not exist or would be drastically smaller and less impactful.”
The Law Foundation is proud to support the work of Pro Bono Law of Saskatchewan, and thereby bring to those whose need for legal advice or representation might not otherwise be met.
For more information on the Law Foundation and its grants, visit https://www.lawfoundation.sk.ca/