The Obligations and Challenges for French Language Services and Access to Justice

The Ontario Bar Association hosted a lunch seminar on The Obligations and Challenges for French Language Services and Access to Justice,

In a predominantly English-speaking province, Ontario lawyers may have limited experience with French-language proceedings, clients, or opposing counsel, and French-speaking counsel and clients may encounter significant hurdles in accessing justice. As parties are entitled to pursue their legal rights in either official language, it is essential for all lawyers to understand the obligations and challenges in respect of these language rights.

Learn about the French-language rights and the systemic challenges in fulfilling these rights. Gain critical information and key strategies from our expert panel on how to handle the practical challenges of practicing in a bilingual society, including:

• Understanding the relevant statutes and case law

• What are your professional obligations in respect of French-language?

• The benefits of offering legal services in French

• Managing your client relationship when working with an interpreter

• The additional barrier of language in dealing with self-represented parties

• How to navigate a French proceeding in English, and vice versa

Speakers included:

Josée Bouchard, Law Society of Upper Canada
Suzanne Deliscar, Suzanne E. Deliscar, Lawyer-Linguist
Paul Le Vay, Stockwoods LLP