CLA statement on recent events in Canada and the United States The Criminal Lawyers’ Association (CLA) is shocked and saddened by recent events leading to the deaths of Regis Korchinski-Paquet, George Floyd, Tony McDade, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. Sadly, these people join a long list of black people killed during police interactions. However, these […]

The Criminal Lawyers’ Association (CLA) is one of the largest speciality legal organizations in Canada, with over 1,600 members. It is a voice for criminal justice and civil liberties in Canada. The CLA has intervened in numerous landmark cases before the Supreme Court of Canada concerning digital privacy rights (e.g., Vu, Fearon, Spencer, Marakah), drawing […]

Over the last 10+ weeks into isolation, we understand our members are being impacted on many levels. With mounting financial pressures, anxiety levels might be rising amongst our colleagues. There is no shame in reaching out to friends and even to mental health professionals – there are lots of resources/suggestions out there, including: 1.    LSO’s Member […]

The speed of events and concentrating on the dedicated efforts of our members to empty the jails and make the Courts safe has made detailed timely reporting difficult. Now as we enter phase two I want to advise we have reason for hope and we are all looking forward to getting back to work. Managing […]

As our volunteer efforts in the Courts over the past two weeks wind down, we offer our profound gratitude and admiration to all our volunteers and organizers. Our valuable role and commitment has been critical. However we want to make one thing crystal clear. We have learned as has everyone from this pandemic response. We […]

The CLA congratulates Legal Aid Ontario (“LAO”) on the billing changes that they announced today to ease the financial challenges our members are facing as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The changes will assist our members and other service providers during this difficult and unprecedented time.  Just last week, working collaboratively with LAO, the […]

Click here for the latest volunteer schedule.Please note there are regular updates to the schedule. Please check regularly for updates.

Over the past 9 days, hundreds of CLA members have selflessly and tirelessly given their time to assist thousands of detained persons all across Ontario. Their efforts, combined with the efforts of our dedicated Judges, Justice of the Peace, Crown Attorneys, court staff, Legal Aid duty counsel and other justice system partners, have played a […]

The COVID-19 pandemic is a new and unprecedented challenge for our country and for our courts. Leaders in these times must make tough decisions where there is no right answer or proven recipe for success. This past week, the CLA mobilized our 1500 members, many of whom risked their health and safety to assist at […]

For the past week our organization and our tremendous members have courageously run into the burning building that is our Justice system. We have secured hundreds of releases. We have advocated for the health and safety of all Justice system participants and accused. We have sought a total shutdown and remote access. Finally this has […]