LEAF's
Family Law Legal Aid Affidavit Campaign
by Pro Bono Law of BC
LEAF's Family Law
Legal Aid Affidavit Campaign
By Pro Bono Law of BC
West Coast LEAF describes
the purpose of the affidavit campaign and how you can become involved:
"The Attorney General announced deep funding cuts to the Legal Services
Society in May 2002. These cuts eliminated legal aid representation for
all poverty law matters and severely restricted family law legal aid to
only those matters involving violence and a threat to life or physical
safety.
"These drastic changes impact some 40,000 people across the province who cannot otherwise afford legal representation. For women trying to care for their family after a marriage has broken down, the lack of legal representation can be profound. The lack of legal aid in family law matters means that women are increasingly representing themselves in complicated legal matters, or are failing altogether to access their legal rights and the rights of their children. One of the most serious consequences are the number of women losing custody of their children simply because they lack adequate representation, or even basic information about their rights. Mothers who are vulnerable to threats and violence by their partners frequently abandon claims for child maintenance rather than face the possibility of losing custody. As a result of intimidation and lack of representation, women often forfeit property and income, surrendering themselves and their children to poverty.
"As you know, access to legal representation is a cornerstone of our legal system that enables all citizens to enjoy the equality rights afforded by the constitution. Legal aid exists to ensure that our most vulnerable citizens have access to justice and the legal entitlements embodied in our laws.
"As part of our efforts to restore legal aid in B.C, West Coast LEAF has launched an Affidavit Campaign to collect convincing evidence from across the province that reflects the true impacts of the cuts to legal aid programs on women and others most affected. The majority of those affected include women, single mothers, and people with disabilities. Our goal is to make a case for the restoration of the services through law reform efforts or via test case litigation. We are working with the CBA Legal Aid Committee and several community organizations in this important effort."
The LEAF website has information for women who wish to sign an affidavit, for community advocates who wish to become involved, and for lawyers who wish to volunteer.
Go to http://www.westcoastleaf.org and follow the links to the Affidavit Campaign.
(note: follow this link - http://www.westcoastleaf.org/index.php?action=show_cat&category_id=20 - if you have trouble accessing the Affidavit Campaign page from above release)
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Page last updated June 26, 2003