News room/ Press Releases
Media Contacts
For more information on the Commission des services juridiques, members of the media should contact Mr Nadine Koussa, Communications responsible at 514-873-3562 ext: 5249.
Press Releases
Press Releases 2009
Montréal, April 1, 2009. - Me Denis Roy, Chairman of the Commission des services juridiques (CSJ), today launched the information campaign entitled Legal Aid, Ju$tice At the Right Price, aimed at fostering greater awareness about the legal aid system among potentially eligible persons, estimated at approximately 2,590,000 persons by 2010.
You May be Eligible for Legal Aid
«We would like every person who is eligible for legal aid and is grappling with legal problems to know that he or she can obtain the services of a lawyer to which he or she is entitled, either at no cost or in consideration for the payment of a contribution, » explained Me Denis Roy.
To do so, the CSJ has provided members of the public with access to a free practical checklist that quickly informs them about the eligibility criteria for the gratuitous and contributory schemes of the legal aid system as well as the services that are covered. The checklist is available at all legal aid offices and on the Web site of the CSJ (www.csj.qc.ca). An array of additional information is also available on the Web site.
In case of doubt regarding eligibility for legal aid, a person should make an appointment at the legal aid office closest to his or her place of residence. 'Only legal aid can determine eligibility under the system. Each case is unique,' indicated Me Roy. For the gratuitous scheme as well as for the contributory scheme, financial eligibility is established on the basis of eligibility scales that are set by regulation and indexed annually. These scales are available at legal aid offices and on the Web site of the CSJ.
Ju$tice At the Right Price Before the Courts
The contributory scheme, which is often overlooked, allows persons who are not eligible for gratuitous legal aid to obtain the services of a lawyer in consideration for the payment of a contribution ranging from $100 to $800, depending on the person’s income and, if applicable, that of his or her spouse. Unique to Québec, this component allows a person to know, in advance, the costs to be incurred for all the legal services required in a given case.
About the Commission des services juridiques
The Commission des services juridiques is the agency charged with applying the Legal Aid Act in Québec. Legal aid may be granted to anyone who is financially eligible, in order to cover various legal services involving civil, family, administrative or criminal matters or matters relating to youth law.
This initiative falls within the scope of the CSJ’s mission which includes the mandate to inform the public about its legal rights and obligations. This is the third checklist published by the CSJ. The first dealt with the legal aspects of the purchase of a used vehicle and the second with the legal aspects of de facto unions.
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Source:
Marie-Noëlle Trottier,
Information Officer
514 873-3562