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Legal Service Provision in Northern Canada
Summary of Research in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and the Yukon
9. ACTIVITIES PRIOR TO FIRST APPEARANCE
The method of service delivery to clients prior to first appearance varies between the three northern jurisdictions. However, concerns over access to representation prior to first appearance and provision of service by telephone are common to all three jurisdictions.
9.1 Method of service delivery prior to first appearance
The method of service delivery prior to first appearance differs significantly between the three jurisdictions.
- The Northwest Territories - LSB counsel provide the vast majority of service prior to first appearance. CWs report only very infrequent requests to provide service in this area.
- The Yukon - YLSS-funded counsel provide the majority of service prior to first appearance, although CWs also provide services in cases where the accused cannot or will not consult a lawyer. Service prior to first appearance is generally provided by duty counsel.
- Nunavut - Service prior to first appearance is primarily provided by CWs. Service provision by NLSB counsel is very infrequent.
9.2 Concerns relating to service delivery prior to first appearance
9.2.1 Access to legal advice
Respondents in all three jurisdictions raised concerns over access to representation prior to first appearance.
- The Northwest Territories - The majority of clients do not contact counsel prior to first appearance. Some respondents felt that the RCMP is not providing the accused with adequate information to contact counsel. The RCMP reported that it is very difficult to contact counsel in the evenings or at night, when demand is highest.
- The Yukon - Service prior to first appearance is generally provided by the duty counsel. Respondents in the Yukon also reported difficulty contacting duty counsel for service prior to first appearance during the day (as the counsel are normally in court).
- Nunavut - There were conflicting opinions with respect to access to legal advice prior to first appearance. JPs reported that the vast majority of accused do have access to advice unless they choose otherwise. However, the NLSB and CWs reported that some accused are unrepresented because of lack of access to counsel or a CW. The remand facility in Nunavut (the Baffin Correctional Centre in Iqaluit) typically holds approximately 30 individuals on remand (it is built to hold 15), and lack of access to counsel was reported as the most significant factor affecting the number of prisoners on remand.
9.2.2 Service by telephone
Respondents in all three jurisdictions raised similar concerns with respect to providing legal services prior to first appearance over the telephone. It was felt that communicating by telephone is not sufficient for the CW or counsel to adequately represent the client - due to language barriers, difficulty assessing the client's degree of comprehension, disclosure issues, and concern over interaction between the RCMP and the JP (for example, passing written messages that the counsel or CW is unaware of).
The difficulties inherent in providing service over the telephone are significant enough to have an effect on quality of service, to the point of unmet need. As a result, many counsel refuse to deliver service prior to first appearance over the telephone. However, in situations where local counsel or CWs are not available to provide these services in person, refusal to provide service over the telephone also results in unmet need.
9.3 Unmet needs prior to first appearance
Table 9.1 summarizes the extent and nature of unmet need prior to first appearance in the three northern jurisdictions.
| Jurisdiction | Unmet Need |
|---|---|
| Northwest Territories | |
| Nunavut | |
| Yukon |
