NCJ Number
140426
Journal
Justice Research Notes Issue: 4 Dated: (April 1992) Pages: 2-4
Date Published
1992
Length
3 pages
Annotation
In June 1989, with funding from Canada's Department of Justice, Legal Aid Manitoba introduced an expanded eligibility program (EEP) to reach people disqualified from aid because of their income levels.
Abstract
As in regular legal aid procedures, clients accepted into the EEP are issued a certificate that authorizes a lawyer to proceed with the case. The range of criminal and civil law services covered by this certificate is the same whether clients are eligible under the expanded program or under regular aid. The key difference is that clients in the EEP repay the costs of legal services they receive. They enter into an agreement with Legal Aid Manitoba that outlines a payment schedule and fixes a monthly payment. An evaluation of EEP between June 1989 and August 1990 found that Legal Aid Manitoba issued 748 eligibility certificates. As expected, clients had income levels higher than regular legal aid clients, although the income levels were still notably lower than Manitoba averages. Clients also tended to be older than regular legal aid clients. Most clients were satisfied with the services their lawyers provided and with the quality of representation they received. Negative client reactions to the EEP concerned unfair payment amounts and factors used to determine eligibility. Members of the private bar generally felt the EEP was good for clients. Those who handled criminal cases tended to be more positive about the program, since they were paid for services regardless of who paid. To date, Legal Aid Manitoba has demonstrated the potential of initiatives such as the EEP to extend legal services to low-income working people without imposing an unreasonable burden on public funds.