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CIA/E T N
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1982
Phone-in Law in Canada
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.
(Reprint: InternationaI Bar News)
Acts of the Oireachtas 1981
Number
Title of Act
1 of 81
Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act. 1981
2 of 81
Maternity Protection of Employees Act, 1981
3 of 81
Social Welfare (Amendment) Act, 1981
4 of 81
Restrictive Practices (Confirmation of Order) 1981
5 of 81
Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1981
6 of 81
Night Work (Bakeries) (Amendment) Act, 1981
7 of 81
Restrictive Practices (Confirmation of Order) (No. 2)
Act, 1981.
8 of 81
Dumping at Sea Act, 1981
9 of 81
Malicious Injuries Act, 1981
10 of 81
Criminal Law (Rape) Act, 1981
11 of 81
Courts Act, 1981
12 of 81
Nitrigin Eireann Teoranta Act, 1981
13 of 81
Industrial Development Act, 1981
14 of 81
Industrial Development (No.2) Act, 1981
15 of 81
Telecommunications Capital Act, 1981
16 of 81
Finance Act, 1981
17 of 81
Health (Mental Services) Act, 1981
18 of 81
Hallmarking Act, 1981
19 of 81
Employers' Employment Contribution Scheme Act,
1981
20 of 81
Turf Development Act, 1981
21 of 81
Family Law (Protection of Spouses and Children)
Act, 1981
22 of 81
Family Law Act, 1981
23 of 81
Transport Act, 1981
24 of 81
Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Act, 1981
25 of 81
Employment Guarantee Fund (Amendment) Act, 1981
26 of 81
Rent Restrictions (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1981
27 of 81
Irish Telecommunications Investments Limited Act,
1981
28 of 81
Finance (No.2) Act, 1981
29 of 81
Social Welfare (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1981
30 of 81
Fire Services Act, 1981
31 of 81
Courts (No.2) Act, 1981
32 of 81
Youth Employment Agency Act, 1981
33 of 81
Merchant Shipping Act, 1981
34 of 81
Insurance Act, 1981
35 of 81
Rent Restrictions (Temporary Provisions) (Conti-
nuance) Act, 1981
36 of 81
Appropriation Act, 1981
37 of 81
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.
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