The provincial government has launched a study of the justice system, which the Trial Lawyers Association of BC says could delay resolution of the province's legal aid problems.
Lawyers from all regions of the province are currently involved in an escalating series of service withdrawals to draw attention to the need for increased legal aid funding.
The association said legal aid requires immediate action, not further study, because there's nothing left to investigate.
A report last March from the provincewide Public Commission on Legal Aid concluded that legal aid should be an essential service. It asserted, "We can no longer avoid the fact that we are failing the most disadvantaged members of our community."
Marc Kazimirski, president of the Trial Lawyers Association, said, "Legal aid is a severely troubled area within our justice system."
The newly launched review aside, Kazimirski did concede a government announcement earlier in the week was positive.
"The announcement of nine more judges being appointed to provincial court was an encouraging step forward for justice.
"We will remain hopeful that the impending budget announcement will address the current funding shortage of legal aid and other areas in crisis."
