The Commission des services juridiques is the agency charged with applying the Act respecting legal aid and the provision of certain other legal services in Québec. It is also the agency charged with offering the services provided for in the Act to promote access to justice in family matters, namely, the Homologation Assistance Service (HAS), which has been in effect since October, 10, 2013, and the Service administratif de rajustement des pensions alimentaires pour enfants (SARPA), a child support recalculation service which have been in effect since April, 1st, 2014.
Access to justice
The Commission ensures that legal aid is provided, either free of charge or with a contribution from the beneficiary, to financially eligible persons who apply for it and that certain other legal services are provided, all the while ensuring the efficient management of the services and resources allocated to legal aid.
An efficient network
To do so, the Commission efficiently manages the legal aid network, which is comprised of 11 community legal centres, one local centre and 104 legal aid offices (86 of which are permanent) located throughout all regions of Québec. It must ensure that their activities comply with applicable laws and regulations.The Commission coordinates its activities with those of the network, while encouraging dialogue and cooperation. The Commission des services juridiques offers a 24-hour telephone consultation service for criminal and penal matters. This service provides every person who is being held in custody or is under arrest with free assistance from a lawyer, regardless of their financial situation.
Québec’s biggest law firm
The legal aid network is Québec’s biggest law firm. Every year, thousands of Québecers entrust their legal problems to the 435 full-time legal aid lawyers. These experienced professionals are ready to respond to their clients’ needs and diligently defend their interests.