Almost ten years ago the BC Family Unbundled Legal Services Roster (the “Roster”) and Unbundling Toolkit were launched [Note 1]. We are delighted to announce that, in partnership with Access Pro Bono BC, the Roster is now being administered by the new Legal Referral Service (“LRS”).
This transition marks an important milestone in the continued growth and sustainability of unbundled legal services in British Columbia.
Unbundled legal services (often called limited scope services) help to improve access to legal advice, coaching and representation for the public. [Note 2] This approach also offers many important benefits for legal professionals, the courts and the justice system [Note 3].
Before transition to the LRS, the Roster featured profiles of almost 250 family legal professionals offering legal services on an unbundled basis throughout BC. [Note 4] As part of the LRS, the contact information of legal service providers on the Roster is not made public. Instead, clients contact the LRS directly to request a referral, and they are provided with the contact information of a legal service provider who best matches their needs.
Evaluation confirms that unbundling is highly valued by clients. It has raised awareness of unbundling and supported clients in finding legal assistance tailored to their needs. [Note 5]
The current Roster model was developed and evaluated with the generous funding of the Legal Aid BC / Law Foundation of BC Legal Research Fund. It has been maintained through the dedication of many volunteers. As unbundled approaches (including legal coaching) become more well known, it became clear that a more stable and sustainable home was needed.
APB has stepped forward, and the LRS has assumed responsibility for administering the Roster, responding to inquiries and making referrals.
The BC Family Justice Innovation Lab Society and a volunteer task force of unbundling practitioners will continue to:
- Support an engaged unbundling community and partnerships
- Share information through a regular newsletter
- Help to provide continuing education opportunities
- Promote unbundling approaches
What are the benefits of this change to Roster members?
- The LRS has extensive experience managing rosters of legal professionals and providing high-quality referrals
- The LRS platform is more stable and sustainable than a volunteer-based service
- Referrals will be streamlined, timely, and better aligned with each professional’s practice
- The LRS receives a high volume of calls annually, creating greater potential for unbundling referrals
- Clients will receive clear information about unbundled services at the time of referral
- The platform supports referrals across all practice areas, not just family law
What are the benefits to clients?
- LRS staff will provide information about unbundling and assist clients to navigate appropriate referrals
- Referrals will be simpler, faster, and better matched to clients’ specific needs
To date, over 150 legal professionals have joined the Unbundling Roster through the LRS – in a variety of legal service areas. The Task Force is also updating and expanding the Unbundling Toolkit. Stay tuned for more information about that initiative.
We are grateful for the innovative and client-centred legal professionals who have made unbundling a viable and valuable business model. None of this would have been possible without the significant contributions and support from our many generous partners, including:
Mediate BC
People’s Law School
Courthouse Libraries BC
Standpoint Decisions Inc. / Matt Sims
Continuing Legal Education Society of BC
Canadian Bar Association BC
Access Pro Bono BC / the Legal Referral Service / Everyone Legal Clinic
Law Society of BC
Rise Women’s Legal Clinic
Legal Aid BC / Law Foundation of BC Legal Research Fund
Woody Mosten (the “father of unbundling”)
Thanks to everyone who has supported this initiative and contributed to the growth of unbundled legal services in B.C.
Kari D. Boyle
Coordinator, Family Justice Innovation Lab Society
________
NOTES:
- Final report July 2017
- Benefits to the public include:
a) Increased access to justice
b) Price predictability (and lower cost)
c) Improved outcomes
d) Increased voice
e) Enhanced empowerment
f) Improved confidence in the process & outcome
g) Improved access to settlement processes
h) Access to tailored services
i) Flexibility – remote services
j)Helping to address power imbalances
- https://www.courthouselibrary.ca/sites/default/files/inline-files/unbundling-faqs-for-lawyers.pdf
- It was published at unbundling.ca and as part of People’s Law School’s very creative and public-facing website.
- Phase 1 report; Phase 2 report.
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