Appeals
Who can Appeal?
You have the right to appeal a Legal Aid Manitoba decision if you:
- Disagree with the decision of the Area Director to reject your application
- Object to the cancellation of a legal aid certificate
The Process – Appeal Within 30 Days
You may appeal a Notice of Rejection or a Notice of Cancellation within 30 days of the date on your notice.
Step 1: More Information
If you need more information to understand the reasons for the decision, contact the Area Director at your Area Office.
Step 2: Notice of Appeal
You must submit your appeal in writing. We do not conduct in-person appeals.
Complete the Notice of Appeal form provided in your notice, or write a letter. Your appeal must include the following:
a) Your Contact Information
- First and last name
- File number (appears at the top of the notice you received from Legal Aid Manitoba)
- Current mailing address
- Telephone number
b) Financial Information
If you were rejected for financial reasons, enclose any financial information, details or documents that can support your appeal.
c) Required Documents
Enclose all documents that are requested in your notice, including documents that you failed to provide, such as:
- Court documents
- Lawyer’s opinion letter
- Relevant correspondence
d) Supporting Information
Provide any further information or documents that may support your appeal. If you need more information about what to provide, please contact your Area Office.
e) Reasoning
List the reasons why you think the decision was wrong.
Step 3: Submit your Appeal
Mail or fax your Notice of Appeal form or letter to:
Executive Director
Legal Aid Manitoba
4th Floor – 287 Broadway
Winnipeg MB R3C 0R9
F: 204.944.8582
Step 4: Follow Up
Phone Legal Aid Manitoba to ensure that your Notice of Appeal reaches us within the 30-day deadline:
T: 204.985.8500
TF: 1.800.261.2960
Step 5: Executive Director Decision
The Executive Director will review your file, consider your appeal, and decide to either approve or refuse it. You should receive the decision within approximately 1-2 weeks of submitting your appeal.
Approval
If the Executive Director approves your appeal, your decision letter will explain what will happen next.
Refusal
If the Executive Director refuses your appeal, your decision letter will:
- Explain the reasons for the refusal
- Explain whether or not the Executive Director’s decision is final
- If applicable, explain that you have the right to appeal the decision to the Appeal Committee, comprised of 1-3 people drawn from the Legal Aid Management Council
- Include an appeal form to submit to the Appeal Committee
Step 6: Submit Your Appeal to the Appeal Committee
If you have the right to appeal the Executive Director’s decision, and wish to do so, complete the appeal form supplied with the Executive Director’s refusal, or write a letter.
Your appeal must include the reasons why you think the Executive Director’s decision was wrong.
Mail or fax your appeal form or letter to:
Legal Aid Management Council Appeal Committee
4th Floor – 287 Broadway
Winnipeg MB R3C 0R9
F: 204. 944.8582
tracing@legalaid.mb.ca
Step 7: Appeal Committee Decision
The Appeal Committee will review your file, consider your appeal and decide to either approve or refuse it.
The decision will be sent to you within approximately 1-2 weeks of submitting your appeal. The decision of the Appeal Committee is final. There are no further appeals.
In reaching its decision, the Appeal Committee will ask itself whether the decision you have appealed was reasonable based on The Legal Aid Manitoba Act, Regulation, and policies established by Management Council.
