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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 2008
Montreal, January 3, 2008. - A family composed of two spouses and two children, whose annual family income is $28,000, is eligible for legal aid under the contributory scheme. Indeed, since January 1, 2008, a greater number of individuals have access to justice thanks to the increase in the eligibility scale for legal aid.
In addition to increasing eligibility for services at no cost, this measure increases the number of persons eligible under the contributory scheme. 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.
« It would be to the advantage of Québécois to check their eligibility for legal aid when necessary. Many of them are unaware of the fact that they may be able to obtain services at no cost or in consideration for a minor financial contribution. There is no other way to go before the courts with a lawyer, knowing ahead of time how much the process will cost, » stated Me Denis Roy, Chairman of the Commission des services juridiques.
The increase in the eligibility scale forms part of a plan to gradually raise the legal aid eligibility thresholds during the period from January 2006 to January 2010, thereby allowing a greater number of applicants to be accepted.
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.
The new eligibility scales for services at no cost are as follows:
Category of Applicant : Maximum Annual Income
- For a single person : 11 250 $
For an applicant whose family is comprised of:
- one adult and one child : 14 447 $
- one adult and 2 children or + : 16 107 $
- spouses without children : 15 723 $
- spouses with 1 child : 18 012 $
- spouses with 2 children or + : 19 674 $
Legal aid may be available in consideration for the payment of a contribution ranging from $100 to $800, based on the following eligibility scales:
Category of Applicant : Maximum Annual Income
- For a single person : 16 031 $
For an applicant whose family is comprised of:
- one adult and one child : 20 586 $
- one adult and 2 children or + : 22 953 $
- spouses without children : 22 405 $
- spouses with 1 child : 25 667 $
- spouses with 2 children or + : 28 035 $
For more information, please contact your local legal aid office or visit the Web site of the Commission des services juridiques at: http://www.csj.qc.ca .
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Source:
Marie-Noëlle Trottier
Agente d'information
(514)873-3562