The members of the Standing Committee on Social Programs are concerned about recent media reports stating there is a backlog of 123 family law cases in the legal aid system. Members became very concerned when the department revealed that there is no plan to deal with the backlog. Members question the department's lack of action and believe that the problem will not go away just because the department chooses to ignore it.

It is noted that legal aid clients, who are most affected by the backlog, are not in a position to resolve any of their issues without help from the legal system. To leave families in limbo, awaiting lawyer availability is not an acceptable course of action on the part of the department or the Legal Services Board. Committee members note that this is a forced growth issue and without a course of action on the part of the department and the Legal Services Board the problem will get worse.

Recommendation 2

The Standing Committee on Social Programs recommends that the Minister direct the department to co-operate with the Legal Services Board on a course of action that will clear up the backlog of family law cases in the legal aid system in the short-term.

In the long-term, the committee would like to see a plan be developed that ensures this situation will not repeat itself.