What to Expect
You and your lawyer need to work together to get the best results in your case. Here is what a lawyer appointed by Legal Aid Manitoba (LAM) should do for you:
Information and Advice
- Give you legal information and advice
- Tell you what your choices are
- Explain the advantages and disadvantages of your choices
- Advise you on a course of action
Updates and Timelines
- Keep you updated on the progress of your case
- Give you a rough idea of how long your case will take
- Let you know if there will be any delays, and explain the reasons why
Representation
- Represent you in court
- Represent you in discussions with the lawyer on the other side of your case
- Tell you if the other side makes any offers to settle the case
Articling Students and Paralegals
Your lawyer may decide to have an articling student or paralegal work with you.
Definitions
An articling student is a lawyer in training who has graduated from law school with a law degree but does not yet have a licence to practise law. The articling student must work under the supervision of a lawyer for one year to earn a licence.
A paralegal is a person who is not a lawyer and is not training to be a lawyer but who has some legal knowledge and experience. The paralegal helps clients under the supervision of a lawyer.
Working Together
Your lawyer will still be involved in your case and will be in charge of the articling student or paralegal. You and the articling student or paralegal should co-operate with one another just as you and your lawyer would.
