News

West Coast LEAF has re-affirmed its concerns about the legal aid system in British Columbia in a letter responding to the Legal Services Society.

In March, West Coast LEAF released a report called “Mapping the Gap: A Summary of Legal Resources For Women in British Columbia,” written by Shahnaz Rahman. 

The report compiles the results of a voluntary survey of community organizations in BC that offer legal services to women in the area of family law.  

The purpose of the survey project was to collect information about how women-serving organizations are using existing legal resources and services, identify emerging issues, and provide a base for smaller service organizations to connect with each other.

The Legal Services Society – the official group tasked with administering legal aid in BC – responded to the report this month with an article in ELAN, the electronic legal aid newsletter, which is posted on their website: 

“Unfortunately, [West Coast LEAF’s report] reflects misunderstandings about LSS services at the time of the survey, and does not mention service improvements since 2009.”  

LSS management sent a version of this message directly to all of the community agencies that took part in the survey.  

Last week, West Coast LEAF president Nitya Iyer responded to the LSS with a letter explaining the report’s rationale and affirming West Coast LEAF’s position on the current state of legal aid in BC.