Address Everyday Legal Problems

1.1 Educate early

Provide targeted, free, accessible public legal education about frequent legal issues, different types of solutions and the process of enforcing rights

1.2 Prevent

Foster legal capability so that people can spot legal issues early, get preventative or proactive help and anticipate, avoid or manage frequent legal issues

1.3 Offer a continuum of services

Develop and expand legal services to include the full continuum of information, advice, help lines, online services, in-person services, and partial or full representation

1.4 Reflect Canadian society

Put the services people need in the communities where they live with the resources to address the barriers they face

Progress in 2019

Building peoples’ legal capability strengthens their ability to identify and avoid legal problems, and get help when they need it. Public legal education organizations are often the first point of contact for people trying to understand their legal issues. Educational resources and information sessions offered by non-profits, clinics, courts and lawyers help people prepare for common legal issues.

Triage and referral services are part of the continuum of legal services. Identifying legal needs early and connecting people with both legal help and other kinds of support can minimize the impact on their health, relationships and finances.

In 2019, the vibrant public legal education and information community expanded its reach, providing creative and user-centric digital tools and continuing to serve people with new in-person programming.