The Gazette 1982

CIA/E T N

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1982

Phone-in Law in Canada

Acts of the Oireachtas 1981 Number Title of Act

1 of 81 2 of 81 3 of 81 4 of 81 5 of 81 6 of 81 7 of 81 8 of 81 9 of 81 10 of 81 11 of 81 12 of 81 13 of 81 14 of 81 15 of 81 16 of 81 17 of 81 18 of 81 19 of 81 20 of 81 21 of 81 22 of 81 23 of 81 24 of 81 25 of 81 26 of 81 27 of 81 28 of 81 29 of 81 30 of 81 31 of 81 32 of 81 33 of 81 34 of 81 35 of 81 36 of 81 37 of 81

Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act. 1981 Maternity Protection of Employees Act, 1981 Social Welfare (Amendment) Act, 1981 Restrictive Practices (Confirmation of Order) 1981 Night Work (Bakeries) (Amendment) Act, 1981 Restrictive Practices (Confirmation of Order) (No. 2) Act, 1981. Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1981

Canadian Dial-a-Law scheme

A novel idea offering over-the-phone legal advice and information on law has been an instant success in the Canadian province of Alberta and has led to similar public service programmes being introduced across Canada. In Ottawa the service is offered in French and English. Called Dial-A-Law, the scheme allows people to dial a toll-free number and get a brief explanation of a law topic of their choice. Once the taped message is complete, callers can stay on the line for more assistance. On its inaugural day in Alberta the service received 107 calls and enquiries continued at that rate. During the first 10 weeks of the scheme's operation more than 2,700 callers had taken advantage of it. Dial-A-Law's operation and equipment budget for the first year of operation has been estimated at $C 109,000. Funding comes from the Alberta Law Foundation and the Law Society of Alberta. Dial-A-Law offers almost four dozen pre-recorded information scripts on a wide range of topics. The 4-7 minute scripts cover family law, immigration law, land- lord and tenant, real estate, wills and estates, criminal law and the courts. The scheme is based on a USA programme called Tel- Law. In the view of the scheme organiser, an important aspect of Dial-A-Law is that it enables many people, who would otherwise be intimidated, to seek law in- formation. 'The ability to remain anonymous is important so when all you have to do is make a phone call the law is suddenly accessible with ease and with no risk.' Another valuable element in Dial-A-Law's public education role is that it helps callers identify that they do have a law problem. 'Many people do not associate their problem as a legal one, but when they call the tapes aid them in determining their legal status. Another aspect is that the tapes help people figure out if it is worth going to a lawyer.' The tapes are not designed to be self-help tools. With the exception of a few tapes in areas such as First Appearance in Provincial Court , the tapes only give general information and quite often advise callers to see a lawyer. Dial-A-Law provides other services as well as the over-the-phone tapes. The operators answering the calls have referral information at their finger tips. They can give callers in any area of the province phone numbers for local servicers such as the family court, student law services, the law society, police departments, emergency services, the human rights commission, and legal aid.

Dumping at Sea Act, 1981 Malicious Injuries Act, 1981 Criminal Law (Rape) Act, 1981

Courts Act, 1981

Nitrigin Eireann Teoranta Act, 1981 Industrial Development Act, 1981 Industrial Development (No.2) Act, 1981 Telecommunications Capital Act, 1981

Finance Act, 1981

Health (Mental Services) Act, 1981

Hallmarking Act, 1981

Employers' Employment Contribution Scheme Act, 1981 Family Law (Protection of Spouses and Children) Act, 1981 Turf Development Act, 1981 Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Act, 1981 Employment Guarantee Fund (Amendment) Act, 1981 Rent Restrictions (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1981 Irish Telecommunications Investments Limited Act, 1981 Family Law Act, 1981 Transport Act, 1981

Finance (No.2) Act, 1981

Social Welfare (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1981

Fire Services Act, 1981 Courts (No.2) Act, 1981

Youth Employment Agency Act, 1981

Merchant Shipping Act, 1981

Insurance Act, 1981

Rent Restrictions (Temporary Provisions) (Conti- nuance) Act, 1981

Appropriation Act, 1981

Housing Finance Agency Act, 1981

YOUNG MEMBERS COMMI TTEE QUESTION AIRE

Due to the unexpectedly large number of replies to the questionaire, a detailed analysis will take longer than expected, but a full report will be issued as soon as possible.

(Reprint: InternationaI Bar News)

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