Budget Bulletin: Improving Legal Aid and Restorative Justice

FINANCE--Budget Bulletin: Improving Legal Aid and Restorative Justice

Nova Scotians who need, but can't afford, a lawyer will benefit from an additional $3 million in provincial funding for Nova Scotia Legal Aid.

The additional funding will be used to cover higher salary and operating costs and to hire solicitors and support staff required to meet increased demand. The increased demand for services has presented many challenges, largely due to federal funding cutbacks. Since 1996, federal contributions to legal aid have decreased by $48,500. During that same time period, the Province of Nova Scotia has increased its contribution by $3.8 million for criminal legal aid. Another $1.4 million was provided during that time period for civil matters.

Nova Scotia Legal Aid delivers most of its services from a network of community-based law offices. Offices are staffed and managed by employees of Nova Scotia Legal Aid. In certain situations, the services of private lawyers are acquired on a fee-for-service basis.

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE: HOLDING OFFENDERS ACCOUNTABLE, REPAIRING THE HARM DONE

The Nova Scotia Restorative Justice program began in 1999 in four areas of the province and now operates provincewide. Since its inception, the program has responded to more than 4,100 referrals from police, Crown attorneys, courts, and correctional services.

To ensure that community-based agencies can respond effectively to any increased demands as a result of the new federal Youth Criminal Justice Act, an additional $1,000,000 will be provided by the province.

Restorative justice is delivered to youth through a partnership between the Department of Justice and a network of eight community justice agencies.

NOTE: For further 2003-04 budget information, visit the Department of Finance Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/finance .