News room/ Press Releases
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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 2013
Montréal, May 31st, 2013 – As of June 1, 2013, the legal aid eligibility thresholds will increase. This increase will make legal aid accessible to a greater number of people.
The June 1, 2013 increase will bring the eligibility threshold for gratuitous legal aid to $14,140 and the maximum eligibility threshold for the contributory scheme to $23,809 for single individuals. It bears reminding that single individuals represent 73% of the legal aid clientele.
“Under the contributory scheme, for example, the increase will give a family composed of two spouses and two children, whose annual income is $39,042, the possibility of availing itself of legal services at a reasonable cost determined in advance. I therefore invite all those who have a need for legal assistance and who may be affected by the increase to have their eligibilitychecked by contacting the legal aid office nearest their place of residence,” stated Me Denis Roy, Chairman of the Commission des services juridiques.
The new eligibility scale for services at no cost is as follows:
Class of Applicant : Maximum Annual Income
- For a single person : $14,140
For an applicant whose family is comprised of:
- one adult and one child : $17,298
- one adult and 2 children or + : $18,467
- spouses without children : $19,676
- spouses with 1 child : $22,015
- spouses with 2 children or + : $23,184
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 scale 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:
Class of Applicant : Maximum Annual Income
- For a single person : $23,809
For an applicant whose family is comprised of:
- one adult and one child : $29,127
- one adult and 2 children or + : $31,095
- spouses without children : $33,137
- spouses with 1 child : $37,073
- spouses with 2 children or + : $39,042
About the Commission des services juridiques
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, mental health, immigration or youth law matters. The Commission des services juridiques will also be the agency charged with overseeing theservices offered as of 2013 under the Act to promote access to justice in family matters, including the Service administratif de rajustement des pensions alimentaires pour enfants (SARPA).
For more information, please visit the Web site of the Commission des services juridiques at: http://www.csj.qc.ca .
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Source: Me Richard La Charité, rlacharite@csj.qc.caDirector, Communications Department(514) 873-3562, extension 261