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 2011
Montréal, December 29, 2011. - The January 1, 2012 indexation will increase the eligibility threshold for gratuitous legal aid to $13,353 and the maximum eligibility threshold for the contributory scheme to $19,028 for single individuals. It bears reminding that single individuals represent 73% of the legal aid clientele. A family composed of two spouses and two children, whose annual income is $31,201, will now be eligible for legal aid under the contributory scheme.
A gradual increase of the eligibility thresholds is contemplated over a period of three years, beginning on June 1, 2012. The legal aid eligibility thresholds will also continue to be indexed, on January 1st of each year. Ultimately, the eligibility threshold increase in the contributory category will be approximately 43%, taking indexation into account. This increase will make legal aid accessible to a greater number of people.
Me Denis Roy, Chairman of the Commission des services juridiques, reminds the public that it is to the advantage of persons who require legal assistance and may be eligible for legal aid to contact the legal aid office closest to their residence in order to confirm such eligibility. “Given the terms and conditions prescribed by the act and the regulations, only legal aid staff can determine your eligibility; it is therefore important to make an appointment with a legal aid lawyer,” stated Me Roy.
The new eligibility scale for services at no cost is as follows:
Category of Applicant : Maximum Annual Income
- For a single person : $13,353
For an applicant whose family is comprised of:
- one adult and one child : $16,335
- one adult and 2 children or + : $17,439
- spouses without children : $18,582
- spouses with 1 child : $20,791
- spouses with 2 children or + : $21,895
According to Me Roy, the contributory scheme offers a unique formula that allows individuals to be represented by a lawyer before the courts while knowing, in advance, the maximum amount of the legal fees and costs. The contributory scheme allows an individual to receive legal services if his or her income, assets and liquidities match the eligibility scales in effect and if the individual pays a contribution ranging from $100 to $800, depending on the person’s situation. The eligibility scale for legal aid under the contributory scheme is as follows:
Category of Applicant : Maximum Annual Income
- For a single person : $19,028
For an applicant whose family is comprised of:
- one adult and one child : $23,277
- one adult and 2 children or + : $24,850
- spouses without children : $26,481
- spouses with 1 child : $29,627
- spouses with 2 children or + : $31,201
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. Legal aid may be granted to anyone who is financially eligible, in order to cover various legal services involving civil, family, administrative, criminal matters and matters relating to mental health law or youth law.
For more information, please visit the Web site of the Commission des services juridiques at: http://www.csj.qc.ca .
-30-
Source :
Me Richard La Charité
Director, Communications Department
(514) 873-3562, extension 261