Hang Tight

Lots of talk about @LawSocietyLSO fees, and the immense burden they represent for sole/small firms, recent calls, non-practicing lawyers, disabled lawyers, and so on. IMHO sliding scale based on income + year of call > status quo. The one-fee-fits-all approach is dysfunctional.

To be clear, fees = #A2J issue. When lawyers can’t afford the basic necessity of licensing (on top of $$$ overhead and debt), their clients— often mid to low-income folk dealing with everyday legal problems— get screwed. Y’know, folks who the justice system is *meant* to serve.

I advocated for a freeze on fees amid COVID-19. The deferral was helpful to some extent, but now we pay more per month while the business remains at a standstill. Courts and tribunals are starting to resume regular operations, but the pandemic isn’t over.

At the same time, I am wary that slashing fees across the board will have negative implications for @LawSocietyLSO staff and licensees. We need to revisit the regulator’s budget with care, compassion, and understanding.

h/t to @michaelsfirm for initiating this important conversation.

PS I say “lawyer” because that’s my lane, but the same concerns apply to paralegals.