Thank you, Mr. Chair. The purpose of this bill is to permit staff lawyers working out of different law clinics of the Legal Services Board to advise both parties in a legal matter without that being in and of itself a conflict of interest.
The Legal Services Board and department identified the need for this amendment in response to a diminishing private bar and increasing reliance on staff lawyers. This amendment is in place in other jurisdictions for the same reason: to ensure the provision of timely and quality legal service to clients. The Law Society, which regulates the legal profession in the Territories, is in support of this amendment.
In the long term, this amendment will allow to continue with, and expand if necessary, its complement of staff lawyers in order to ensure NWT residents have access to family and criminal law services, and that the court system remain accessible.
I would like to thank the Standing Committee on Social Programs for its consideration of this bill. I would be pleased to answer questions that the committee may have. Thank you, Mr. Chair.