Project Overview
Best Practices at Family Justice System Entry Points: Needs of Users and Responses of Workers in the Justice System
For too many people the family justice system adds to the pressures they are already facing in a family breakdown. Although there have been reforms over the past two years, many commentators continue to call for more substantive reform of the family justice system. The Law Commission of Ontario has undertaken a project that focuses on entry points to the system. The project also addresses the pluralist nature of the Ontario population.
The Attorney General of Ontario has formulated four pillars of change for the family justice system. The LCO’s report will build on the four pillars and will recommend other ways of making the family law system more responsive to the diverse needs of Ontario families.
What We Have Done So Far
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organized a Roundtable of experts and front line workers from across the province;
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released a paper with options for a family law reform project;
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formed an advisory group made up of academics, legal and other service providers, advocates and representatives from government and community organizations;
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released a consultation paper;
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held consultations and released the results;
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funded research papers from experts in the field on issues related to the project, and carried out considerable internal research; and
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release an Interim Report
What do we recommend?
Among other draft recommendations, the LCO recommends:
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more early information through one basic brochure and one online website;
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more subsidized summary legal advice on family law;
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increased legal aid for persons trying to negotiate an agreement or trying to mediate a family dispute;
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linking information centres with community centres working with particular communities;
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in the long term, family centres across the province which offer comprehensive family justice services at entry point level, close to people’s communities.
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Family Law Reform Publications
Interim Report - February 2012
Consultation Results - September 2010
Process Consultation Paper - September 2009
Family Law Project Selection Update - April 2009
Family Law Options Consultation Paper - January 2009
