Lawyers and notaries of non-profit organizations (NPOs) will now be able to improve the free or low-cost legal services offered to their clients, according to a bill tabled on Tuesday.
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Bill 34, tabled Tuesday by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Quebec, Simon Jolin-Barrette, aims to “improve access to justice by improving the offer of free or low-cost legal services”.
Thus, while members of the Bar working within NPOs can currently only provide legal information to their clients, the new bill will enable them to offer real advice and even to be able to represent citizens before courts, free or at low cost.
“It is essential that Quebecers have easy access to efficient and modern justice services. […] This is an important step forward in terms of access to justice,” said Simon Jolin-Barrette in a press release.
The bill also provides that retired lawyers may return to practice in non-profit legal persons (PMSBL) if they wish.
“For vulnerable and deprived people, access to justice is a very complex issue. The tabling of Bill 34, which will allow lawyers to practice law in PMSBL, represents an avant-garde legislative measure”, indicated Donald Tremblay, founder and general manager of the Clinique itinérante, an organization working to promote access to justice for all.
“Non-profits have been advocating for several years the right to offer legal advice and represent vulnerable people in court. These services, free or at low cost, are essential to ensure access to justice in Quebec,” commented Me Sophie Gagnon, Executive Director of Juripop.