Saskatchewan moves to allow non-lawyers practice in province

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By Femi SHODUNKE

CANADA: SASKATCHEWAN has taken major step to allow non-lawyers to provide some legal services to residents within the province.

The government of Premier Brad Wall has set up a task team, which includes some experienced lawyers, legal professionals and members of the public, to look into ways to realise this new move.

Among those who will fashion out the way forward are Gerald Tegart (Regina), Mary Ellen Wellsch (Regina), Neil Robertson (Regina), Darren Kraushaar (Regina), Jan Whitridge (Regina), and Beverly Poitras (Fort Qu’Appelle).

Others are Laura Siegler Zerr (Qu’Appelle), Sandi Kerger (Saskatoon), Joy Dobson (Regina), Laura Lacoursiere (Saskatoon), and Marlene Rodie (Regina).

“The task team is a joint project being headed by the Ministry of Justice and the Law Society of Saskatchewan,” a news release obtained by GatewayMail explained.

According to the release, the team will make recommendations about the appropriate role, if any, of non-lawyers in the provision of legal services.
“Access to justice is one of the Ministry of Justice’s highest priorities,” Justice Minister and Attorney General, Gordon Wyant, said.

Wyant also said: “We know there’s interest in exploring new ways to access and provide legal services, and this task team is going to explore potential opportunities around that for us.”
This project will involve significant consultation with the public, lawyers, and other legal service providers.

The release stated that anyone who wishes to make a submission on access to justice and the expansion of legal services within Saskatchewan is urged to contact the task team at this email: lstaskteam@gov.sk.ca.

“The Law Society of Saskatchewan is committed to enhancing access to legal services to the public, as outlined in our strategic plan,” Law Society of Saskatchewan President Erin Kleisinger said.  “We are looking forward to working with the task team to explore solutions to this important issue.”
According to the government release, the team has been given the mandate to deliver its recommendations within the next year. (May 7, 2017).

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