The second phase of service withdrawals by Trial Lawyers Association of BC members who work as duty counsel in criminal cases has begun.
The action is aimed at raising awareness of the need for more legal-aid funding across B.C.
Running from February 1 to 14, approximately two-thirds of B.C.’s provincial courthouses will be affected by a full withdrawal of legal-aid lawyers, while other courthouses will operate with limited availability.
The full withdrawal involves 53 courthouses, up from 38 during the initial withdrawal phase carried out January 1 to 7.
Trial Lawyers Association of BC president Marc Kazimirski said, “The first phase of service withdrawals went very well in terms of support.
“The lawyers involved are headed into phase two with greater awareness already achieved for this important issue, and a strong sense of purpose remains. From the start, the focus has been about the need to help more people resolve their legal problems – whether in family law, criminal cases or immigration matters.”
The association noted in a release a provincial tax on legal fees generates $140 million each year, yet less than half of that sum is put into B.C.’s annual budget for legal aid.
Meanwhile, the province spends far less per capita on legal aid than the national average.
The association said the lack of representation causes a serious slowdown in the administration of justice.
Third and fourth phases of withdrawals are already planned, with the goal of furthering talks that have already begun with B.C. Attorney General’s ministry.
Jennifer Harrison
@JHarrisonBIV