Architects of Justice: Exploring Access to Justice in Ontario

The Law Society of Ontario assumed responsibility for the regulation of paralegals in 2007 making the province the first jurisdiction in North America to regulate paralegals. Today, nearly 9000 paralegals are licensed in Ontario providing consumers with more choice, protection and improved access to justice. This episode help to mark a decade of paralegal regulation by featuring a range of voices from this professional community.

Recent research indicate that lawyers are at a higher risk for anxiety, substance abuse and depression than those in the general population. This susceptibility begins in law school and eventually has an impact on society by affecting people who rely on lawyers to manage their everyday legal problems. This episode will speak with a range of access to justice advocates about status and mental health in the legal profession.

At 37% millennials are currently the largest generation in the workforce. They make over a quarter of the population in Canada and the most educated among them are women – they make up the majority in professions. In 2019, millennials will make up the largest block of voters. This generation is shaping our expectations around technology and convenience. In this episode we look at how they are influencing the justice sector.

Movements like #MeToo have highlighted the ubiquity of the issue and are shaping a more nuanced understanding of sexual violence. We speak with three advocates about this critical moment and what needs to come next to ensure inclusive access to justice outcomes.

The justice sector is under pressure to use more technology. But how does this affect those who don’t have regular access to a computer or the internet? In this episode we feature different perspectives on how technology-based solutions can reflect the diverse needs of justice system users.

The number of people representing themselves, without a lawyer or paralegal, is growing every day. In this episode we learn about what it is like to navigate a complex system on your own. We hear from a self-represented litigant and access to justice advocates who discuss how the self-rep experience is changing the legal system in Ontario.

Today more Indigenous children are in the child welfare system than at the height of residential schools. In this episode we speak with Indigenous child welfare advocate Cindy Blackstock about the decade long battle against Canada’s discrimination against First Nations children. You will also hear excerpts from Cindy’s keynote address at Connect, Create, Communicate: Public Legal Education and the Access to Justice Movement.

Unbundled legal services are when a legal professional takes on some aspects of your case. Together you determine what they should handle and what you can do on your own. Unbundling is about affordability but it is also about shifting the relationship between a client and a legal professional. In this episode we follow a lawyer who has based her practice around this approach.

Introducing Architects of Justice a podcast that explores how people are finding new ways to improve access to justice in Ontario. In the coming weeks, we will cover topics like technology, child welfare, and self-represented litigants. We will explore how to make the justice system more inclusive, effective, and efficient. 

Our first episode is coming soon! 

Be an Architect of Justice by joining us! 

 

Watch for updates on Twitter @TAGActionGroup 

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