Legal Aid Initiatives Benefit Lawyers and Clients – Mark Benton (VOL. 19, NO. 4)
As a family practitioner, I read Mark Benton’s column last issue with two minds. Firstly, I applaud the recent reforms of the LSS and its dedication to improving service delivery. On the other hand, a chill runs down my back when I read that LSS will still support legal representation for clients “when that’s what they need.” What does this mean?

In recent weeks, the AG has quietly changed the mandate of legal aid. Previously, the first object of the society was to “assist low income individuals.” Now, the mission is to facilitate access to justice for all, and the society is called on only to “identify and assess the legal needs of low income individuals.” Despite their proximity in the dictionary, “assistance” and “assessment” are two very different things.

I hear the happy talk coming from LSS and the AG’s office, but I wonder: Do these initiatives really herald new opportunities for lawyers and their clients, or do they mark the beginning of the end for legal representation to needy clients in exchange for some glorified information service? Mr. Benton makes it sound like a party, but after Christie, my question is this: Are we being invited to an inauguration, or a wake?

– David Dundee

Lawyer Referral Service (VOL. 19, NO. 4)
Letter Sent to Frits Verhoeven
I wish to express my sincere thanks on receiving your letter of the 29th of June, 2007 recognizing my participation in the Lawyer Referral Service from January to May of 2007.

I certainly have no problem, whatsoever, in taking on any further requests for the Referral and have never found it any kind of problem.

I am pleased to tell you that I have never had any complaints from either the persons who administer the program, or from any persons who had sought out the advantage of your service.

Finally, I thank you personally for taking the time to acknowledge the service for those who have supported, what I do believe, to be a valuable concession to the public that would exercise the confidence that they have in organizations such as yours.

– Dennis Dallas, Dallas & Company

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These letters were published in the October 2007 issue of BarTalk.