Bill 34 tabled: the JBM reacts

Press release

The JBM welcomes the tabling of Bill 34, An Act to improve access to justice by enhancing the availability of free or low-cost legal services

The Young Bar of Montreal (JBM) welcomes the tabling of Bill 34 on April 12, 2022 by the Minister of Justice, Simon Jolin-Barrette, to improve access to justice by increasing the availability of free or low-cost legal services ("PL 34").

This proposal takes a further step towards improving the accessibility and efficiency of justice by enabling the most vulnerable litigants toobtain legal advice and representation before the courts, free of charge or at low cost, by lawyers or notaries practising within non-profit legal entities ("PMSBL").

PL 34 will also allow retired lawyers to carry out certain professional activities within PMSBLs. Consequently, retired lawyers will also be able to provide legal advice at little or no cost through these PMSBLs.

For several years now, the JBM has been campaigning for in-depth reform of the access to justice system, in the interests of its members, to ensure the sustainability of the legal aid system. In fact, it is the proud instigator of the JBM Telephone Legal Clinic and has been offering this service twice a year since 2018 with the support of overa hundred volunteer lawyers and the collaboration of the Jeune Barreau de Québec and the Association des Jeunes Barreaux de Région (AJBR).

"In light of the JBM's dual mission, we are enthusiastic about offering our support to this bill, which will have an immediate positive impact by improving legal services for the most vulnerable citizens. We would also like to acknowledge the contribution of Me Simon Jolin-Barrette and the Quebec Bar in the introduction of this bill", declared Me Mathieu Jacques, President of the JBM.

The JBM will be closely and proactively following the upcoming debates on this bill.

About the JBM

Founded in 1898, the JBM brings together lawyers with ten years' practice or less in Montreal, representing more than 5,000 members. This makes it one of the largest associations of young lawyers in the world, in terms of numbers for a single city. Its mission is twofold. On the one hand, it defends and promotes the interests of its members. On the other, it provides pro bono legal advice and information to various segments of the population, and organizes charitable activities. Overall, it aims to improve access to justice and contribute to the collective well-being. The JBM offers a number of services to help Quebecers gain access to justice. To find out more, visit http://ajbm.qc.ca/.

Source:

Mélissa Etienne, Communications and Public Relations Manager
Young Bar Association of Montreal
metienne@ajbm.qc.ca
514-554-6936