Manitoba has introduced changes to the Legal Aid Manitoba Act that will allow Legal Aid Manitoba (LAM) the authority to set fees paid to private lawyers.
Operating at arms length from government the agency provides legal services to low-income Manitobans for free or at affordable rates. This is to ensure access to the justice system for those who are disadvantaged and facing well-resourced opponents in court.
Under the current system about have of the cases are handled by LAM staff lawyers while the other half is handled by private lawyers who are paid a fee for providing legal services. Current fees for private lawyers is set out in provincial regulations based on an hourly fee. The fee schedule has not changed since 2008.
Under the amended legislation LAM will be given the authority to set fees and be given the tools to make modifications quickly to ensure fair and reasonable services.
“Giving Legal Aid Manitoba the responsibility over the tariff will ensure that Legal Aid has the ability to make adjustments quickly and manage services more effectively,” said Justice Minister Cameron Friesen. “Fees have not increased for years; we acknowledge the importance of addressing this in order to ensure that lawyers will continue to choose this important field of practice.”
Legal Aid Manitoba is funded by the Province of Manitoba, Government of Canada, the Manitoba Law Foundation and fees paid by clients.
© News4.ca 2021
