FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 1, 1998

1. Legal Aid is important to all of us.
Legal Aid is not one social service among many -- it is a fundamental requirement of a democratic society.

As a society, we have committed to a legal system which says that all people are equal before the law. Therefore, we have to ensure that legal representation isn’t just available to those with more money.

2. Every day, people who can’t afford a lawyer are being denied Legal Aid.
Cutbacks in eligibility and services -- because of underfunding -- have meant that fewer and fewer people can qualify for Legal Aid.

These people either give up in defeat before even beginning, have their rights trampled on by an ex-spouse or other opponent who can access a lawyer, and/or have to represent themselves (with a significant investment of time by the court system trying to help them through the process).

Some of the worst effects are being felt by women -- for example, Legal Aid no longer pays for applications for, or respondents to, changes in maintenance orders; or for applications to vary custody or access unles there is substantial risk of harm to the children or applicant.

3. There is already enough money to adequately fund Legal Aid.
The Government made lawyers tax collectors, by putting a 7% Social Services Tax on all legal services. Lawyers’ clients pay that money -- and lawyers remit it to Government -- on the premise that it is going to Legal Aid.

Now, millions and millions more go in to General Revenues, in that tax and in federal transfer dollars, than comes out the other end for Legal Aid.

This isn’t about asking for new money -- it’s about the Government putting the money it already collects for Legal Aid where it’s supposed to go.