Renewing Our Commitment to Legal Aid |
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Concluding Remarks
Written by Eugene Kung, Barrister & Solicitor, Vancouver
Access to justice is a fundamental feature of any just system of dispute resolution in a democracy. Legal aid is an essential feature of access to justice. Without it, access to justice is a hollow phrase, as many people simply cannot enjoy the protection of their legal rights. Cuts to legal aid cause harm to people who are already disadvantaged, including women and children in family law cases, and low-income people in disputes that affect their ability to meet their basic needs.
Our system of justice only works to the extent that people regard it with respect and credibility. We all pay a heavy price when low income members of our communities are unable to look to our courts and tribunals to resolve their problems and uphold their rights.
The conception of what end legal aid is to be a means to achieve will impact our vision of how and why it is to be delivered.
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