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Who Qualifies for Legal Aid in Manitoba

Legal aid is a government program that helps low-income people get legal support and advice. Although publicly funded, Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) is an independent, not-for-profit corporation that provides legal aid in Ontario. The following guidelines are used to decide whether or not to obtain legal aid. These are just guidelines. We evaluate each candidate individually. These graphs are based on gross family income. Legal Aid Manitoba helps provide legal services to eligible individuals. Legal Aid looks at both your financial situation (how much money you make) and the type of criminal complaint you face to determine whether you qualify or not. If the allegations are not serious enough, Legal Aid will not approve your application. Michael Dyck encourages his clients to apply for legal aid if he thinks they will be eligible. For more information on Legal Aid Manitoba, you can visit their website and click here. Persons earning more than the guidelines may continue to be entitled to legal aid. The plan takes into account other factors, including the following: The Legal Aid Centre provides referrals, legal aid, education and information to individuals with household incomes of less than $50,000.

For more information on legal aid, including the services offered and the types of legal issues, see other sections of the Legal Line or Legal Aid Ontario. This website is intended to provide an overview of family law and the legal system in Manitoba as of November 2019. It aims to provide a basic understanding of family law to anyone who wants or needs to know it. Applicants whose income exceeds the normal guidelines for a family of their size, but whose income does not exceed the next upper threshold, are entitled to a partial contribution. Applicants whose income exceeds the guidelines for a partial contribution, but which is below the next higher level, are eligible for the extended funding program. In such a case, the applicant signs an agreement with the legal aid program to pay a certain amount in monthly payments for the cost of their legal services – usually between $50 and $100 per month. To be eligible for a legal aid certificate, you must have a legal problem that covers LAO and from 1. In April 2020, your annual gross family income and family size must meet the following requirements: Legal aid is only available to people with certain types of legal problems. Depending on your situation, LAO may cover some or all of your legal fees. Usually, legal aid first turns to the person`s family unit to obtain the resources, including assets, needed to cover the costs of counselling the individual and the family unit. In some circumstances, the assets of the extended family are also taken into account, for example in cases where there has been continued support from the extended family or where the individual`s lifestyle is based on the support of the extended family. An applicant`s home, property and assets are valued and, depending on the amount of the net worth, Legal Aid Manitoba may ask the applicant to liquidate the assets to cover their legal costs.

It all depends on how the asset is considered “modest”. For example, $5,000 in cash and cash equivalents for a social assistance applicant is not considered modest, while an applicant`s net worth in their home that falls below $20,000 is considered modest. There is discretion in determining the amount of a partial contribution and the rate of repayment. Sector managers shall ensure that the estimated amounts are reasonable having regard to the applicant`s financial situation. They issue a certificate attesting that the person falls into the “full contribution eligibility category” under the applicable guidelines and that he or she has agreed to bear the full costs of his or her legal aid. It is important to note that community legal clinics operate independently of LAO and have their own eligibility criteria. Please see the topic of Legal Line`s Community Legal Clinic for more information. The term “legal aid lawyer” is not very clear.

There are two types of lawyers who accept clients on the basis of legal aid: there are also private lawyers who assist those eligible for legal aid. Private lawyers receive a LAM certificate, a document that provides for certain fees and payments for the services provided by lawyers. For example, a person charged with robbery and legal aid qualification may request that LAM issue an AML certificate to a lawyer from a private bar association of his or her choice. .