Architects of Justice

The Law Society of Ontario assumed responsibility for the regulation of paralegals in 2007 making the province the first jurisdiction in North America to regulate paralegals. Today, nearly 9000 paralegals are licensed in Ontario providing consumers with more choice, protection and improved access to justice. This episode helps to mark a decade of paralegal regulation by featuring a range of voices from this professional community. • Robert Burd, Bencher and Chair of the Paralegal Standing...

Recent research indicate that lawyers are at a higher risk for anxiety, substance abuse and depression than those in the general population. This susceptibility begins in law school and eventually has an impact on society by affecting people who rely on lawyers to manage their everyday legal problems. This episode will speak with a range of access to justice advocates about status and mental health in the legal profession. • Patrick Krill, Principal and Founder of Krill Strategies • Doron...

At 37% millennials are currently the largest generation in the workforce. They make over a quarter of the population in Canada and the most educated among them are women – they make up the majority in professions. In 2019, millennials will make up the largest block of voters. This generation is shaping our expectations around technology and convenience. In this episode we look at how they are influencing the justice sector. Last year we worked with Abacus Data to publish a report that...

Recent high profile cases have sparked new dialogue about sexual violence. High profile cases, mandatory training for judges in sexual assault law and the role of social media in accelerating conversations all point to a significant shift towards survivor informed paths to justice. But what does that mean? Current discussions have focused on sexual violence at home, at work, on public transit and everywhere in between indicating that this issue is a concern for the majority of the...

Digital Diversity: Developing Justice Solutions For Real Life The justice sector is under pressure to use more technology. But how does this affect those who don’t have regular access to a computer or the internet? In this episode we feature different perspectives on how technology-based solutions can reflect the diverse needs of justice system users. • Michael Gottheil Executive Chair, Social Justice Tribunals Ontario • Monica Goyal Lawyer, Engineer, Entrepreneur Adjunct Professor, Osgoode...

Navigating the Justice System as a Self-Represented Litigant The number of people representing themselves, without a lawyer or paralegal, is growing every day. In this episode we learn about what it is like to navigate a complex system on your own. We hear from a self-represented litigant and access to justice advocates who discuss how the self-rep experience is changing the legal system in Ontario. • Sylvia Green Self-Represented Litigant • Brian Houghton Litigations Projects Manager, Pro...

Overrepresentation of Indigenous Children in Care Today more Indigenous children are in the child welfare system than at the height of residential schools. In this episode we speak with Indigenous child welfare advocate Cindy Blackstock about the decade long battle against Canada’s discrimination against First Nations children. You will also hear excerpts from Cindy’s keynote address at Connect, Create, Communicate: Public Legal Education and the Access to Justice Movement. · Cindy...

Architects of Justice: Exploring Access to Justice in Ontario is a podcast that explores how people are finding new ways to improve access to justice. By bringing together multiple perspectives including users, community workers, students, and legal professionals, our goal is to spotlight different conversations about how we can make a more effective justice system. Listen to episodes on the TAG website or subscribe on iTunes. • TAG Website: www.theactiongroup.ca • iTunes:...

How Unbundled Legal Services are Addressing Affordability and Access Unbundled legal services are when a legal professional takes on some aspects of your case. Together you determine what they should handle and what you can do on your own. Unbundling is about affordability but it is also about shifting the relationship between a client and a legal professional. In this episode we follow a lawyer who has based her practice around this approach. • Renatta Austin Lawyer and Notary Public • Tami...