Media Advisory - Innovative project launches to improve access to family justice at Toronto Superior Court of Justice

TORONTO, Jan. 13, 2020 /CNW/ - In over half of the family cases in Canada's courts, one or both parties appear without a lawyer. An innovative new project is launching this week developed by members of the Toronto family law bar to help improve access to justice for these unrepresented litigants.

With support from the Toronto Superior Court of Justice's Family Law Bench and Bar Committee, the Family Law Limited Scope Services Project (FLLSSP), is thrilled to announce a new project – called ASC Toronto (Advice and Settlement Counsel) – at the Superior Court of Justice Family Court at 393 University Avenue, Toronto.

Beginning on January 14, 2020, two private family lawyers will be available at the court on Tuesdays and Fridays to provide summary advice and assistance on all family law matters, assist in negotiating consents, and even appear in court. Self-represented litigants will be able to access these services by paying $200 per hour, plus HST, directly to the attending lawyer.

The project's goal is to make affordable legal services available on-site to self-represented litigants who often struggle in their efforts to navigate the court process. 

"The family law bar's Advice and Settlement Counsel project is another bar-led innovation that helps to increase access to affordable family law services," says Justice Suzanne Stevenson, family law team lead at the Superior Court of Justice, Toronto. "The court is extremely grateful for the bar's commitment to this important issue."

This project has been developed with support from Ontario's Family Law Limited Scope Services Project (FLLSSP), which is working to increase the availability of limited scope services for separating families in Ontario. 

Information about the FLLSSP is available at the project website:  www.familylawlss.ca.

SOURCE Advice and Settlement Counsel (ASC) Toronto

about the new Advice and Settlement Counsel pilot project, go to www.capyfamilylaw.com/ascproject, or contact Andrea Himel ([email protected]) or Lorna Yates ([email protected]).