Law Times • January 20, 2014
Page 3
NEWS
A look at legal aid around the world
Scotland: While about 70 per cent of Scottish people qualify for
legal aid, many recipients have to make significant contributions.
Expenditure on civil legal assistance increased by 23 per cent
between 2007-08 and 2012-13 and was around 49 million pounds in
2012-13 with spending on criminal matters falling by about 14 per
cent over the same period.
Ontario: Only seven
per cent of Ontarians
qualify for legal aid,
but experts say the
province's organized
clinic system is a
huge strength.
Netherlands: Touted as having
one of the best legal aid systems
in the world, 40 per cent of the
Dutch population qualifies for
legal aid.
Hong Kong: There is no predetermined funding cap for
legal aid with supplementary
funding available in the event
expenses exceed the original
estimate.
England and Wales: A
recent 30-per-cent cut
to legal aid lawyers' fees
sent lawyers on strike.
Source: International Legal Aid Group national reports. Compiled by Yamri Taddese.
Australia: Funding for legal aid over the next four years will be $1.4 billion. As part
of its legal aid efforts, the government provides funding to eight Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Legal Services across Australia. The major focus of indigenous
legal assistance services is state criminal law with mainstream legal aid commissions
funded largely by the Commonwealth of Australia for Commonwealth law matters,
including family law.
Henein Hutchison welcomes Danielle
Robitaille as its newest partner. Sharp.
Strategic. Tougher than steel. A dynamic
litigator with extensive experience in
criminal, disciplinary and regulatory
hearings, Danielle will continue her
practice at the firm, focused on all
matters of defence.
More experience. More defence.
O N LY T HE ST R O NG E ST J O I N.
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