Law Society, Trying to Breach the Affordability Gap for Legal Advice

By 250 News

Prince George, B.C.- With 11,500 people practicing law in B.C. the Law Society is there to make sure those who are practicing law are doing all that they should be doing.

Law Society President Glen Ridgway says just because the lawyer has graduated and hung a shingle on an office, the learning doesn't stop "We think the practice of law is a continuing learning process and we think lawyers should keep up to date on things so they can better serve their clients."He admits the costs of hiring a lawyer are becoming more and more expensive "And perhaps (the costs) are out of reach of most British Columbians, it is a concern."Ridgway says the Law Society is doing things to bring the costs of a lawyer, back to an affordable level, he says being in the hands of someone who is not legally trained may not always be the best option.

Speaking on the Meisner program on CFISFM this morning, Ridgway says he is very concerned about the number of people caught in the family law stream who are going through divorce, property settlements, child custody, and not able to afford legal advice. "It is a concern". He says while legal advice can be expensive, people who are going through a family law matter should get legal advice, "I do know that in my part of the world in Nanaimo, the Provincial Government has set up a centre which gives legal advice in his area, it's still pretty much in its infancy but it's meant to bridge that gap."

Email | Print | Facebook | Twitter | Digg | Del.icio.us