B.C. trial lawyers' legal aid protest continues
Duty counsel to withdraw services until Feb. 14
Another round of courthouse disruptions could be in the works across B.C. as lawyers who act as duty counsel withdraw their services.
The Trial Lawyers Association of B.C. says phase two of its job action begins Wednesday as members demand better funding for legal aid.
Phase one of the protest involved a one-week service withdrawal last month, phase two will see services withheld until February 14th and — if demands of duty counsel aren't met — the association says the protest will escalate until lawyers refuse cases for the entire month of April.
The Coalition for Public Legal Services says it supports the lawyers' job action because duty counsel are on the front lines, upholding the rule of law while representing clients in the first hours of dealing with the legal system.