Legal Aid Manitoba - Winnipeg, Manitoba

Frank F.

I was supposed to start making child support payments the same month I broke my leg in 7 places. I kept getting subpoenas to appear in court, which I passed on to my legal aid lawyer who kept telling me he would "deal" with them. Finally, after 11 months, I got the cast off and was walking with a cane. At that point I had to appear in court. When asked by the judge who told me not to pay I said my lawyer. My legal aid lawyer then stood up, told the court I was lying and asked to be removed from the case. The judge removed him from the case, then ordered I be remanded to jail. Both my lawyer and the prosecutor jumped up and said that's not what they wanted. The judge then hit me with a $500 fine for willfully refusing to pay child support.

I stormed out of the courthouse and when my legal aid lawyer caught up to me he said he would finish the paperwork for my divorce and he told me that this was the one time I would appear before this judge and he had to appear before this judge every day. He couldn't afford to have that judge angry at him. That's why he covered his own ass and left me hanging. He, of course, refused to pay the $500 fine that I got because of his ineptitude.

He was subsequently disbarred for playing fast and loose with some clients escrow accounts.

Drea A. C.

My Lawyer is tired of me, actually we never had a locked in appointment to communicate, so I only email now.
Im in the moment where I'm being told by "M" (she/her) that I have to know the risks after she's told me I have to settle.

Nate P.

I've been in the justice system for over a year now and had two lawyers. My first one MR lipman I think thats how I spell it was a good lawyer vary professional and straight up with me. My second lawyer Mrs harington is probably my favorite one because shes friendly and nice shes straight up with me and preferrs to speak in person witch I like

Frank C.

Worst experience ever. After wasting 3 months of my time the lawyer assigned to me quits because he doesn't want to answer my questions. When I called and spoke to the supervisor Alison she was the most unprofessional ignorant person I have encountered in my life. She actually told me that it would not be respectful of the court to offer a defense. Considering how disrespectful she was in her treatment of me this is right up there with the most ridiculous situations ever. This was a student lawyer so if that is what legal aid gives you then do yourself a favor and represent yourself... anything is better than what they offer.

Michael B.

Some of the worst service I've ever seen. They have been my lawyer for almost a year in my family matter and I have yet to meet my lawyer nor have they accomplished anything to get me access to the children

Al N.

They have given me a lawyer that literally has told me he has no time for my case. It took me 9 months to fight to get a new lawyer. So they give me a lawyer in the same firm. But a studen they also are refusing to help me as well. Legal aid is threatening me with refusing to help me if this lawyer doesn't workout making it sound like I'm always asking for a new lawyer which is not true every time I have been within a month of a custody hearing. Legally touch me with no just cause I am starting to be convinced that legalators being paid off. And helping run child sex rings Because they refuse to help the parent that is innocent, but help the abusivapparent I. Would recommend to do what I have done? Follow the complaint with the commissioner of Justice of Canada against legal aid.
I'm entitled by law to legal counsel. And a competent legal counsel yet tyes, people refused to help me. They refuse to give me a lawyer that is willing to fight for me and each time I did have a lawyer That would fight for me Legal aid would cut me with no Just cause. I recommend making a complaint to the commissioner of Justice of Canada as I have. They have no legal right to deny me. Help , and i'm entitled to request a new lawyer and some giving me a new lawyer that is literally refusing to help me The only conclusion I am able to come up with is legal aid is being paid off to non help loving parents this way. They can make more money they are no different than child abusers. I have even talked to the head of legal aid and they refuse to help me get a lawyer that it was willing to fight for me. But like I said, when I did have a good lawyer. They immediately cut me knowing that. I would win sole custody if I had my day in court. They are being paid off to not help a loving parent I remember my first custody hearing that I was supposed to have in 2017 or 2018 legally cut me 3 weeks prior to the date of the custody hearing when I called there responsible. We don't feel like you're going to win and I have a recording of that as my phone records everything. They try to claim something else that apparently I didn't hand in my taxpapers but I did. I was on assistance at the time disability assistance And Is my worker Did verify Send in the documents

Jules C.

These are my opinions and they are only meant to empower others.

I believe there seems to be an overall premises that lawyers are not be held accountable for their actions. Yes, there is a formal provision that clients have a right to complaint, but as per my experience(and the experiences of those I've heard from): there has yet to be a system of accountability in place or checks and balances that investigate both sides. The current system in place seems to be a one sided view that robs marginalized people of dignity of respect. The Legal aid act specifies that legal aid can not be held accountable for the actions of lawyers, yet it seems to enforce certain prejudices towards legal aid clients. So, how can legal aid be effective in actually holding lawyers accountable internally? I'm just curious!

My encouragement to anyone who has had negative experience(s), please document everything. Don't give up or feel like your voice doesn't matter: though for many it may feel like that sometimes. In speaking up and sharing your experience(s), you can bring about positive change. I have tried to analyze the legal aid act and the regulation of the act, there is nothing that justifies ongoing treatment and some grievance expressed by legal aid clients.

I do not believe that legal aid is meant be a bad organization or that legal aid lawyers are all bad. I believe the core of it is meant to be good and understandably there are good reviews by some. I believe there are some good policies, but proper execution is lacking from some staff members. For example: when one calls the legal aid phone number, there seems to be inconsistencies between what is relayed from each staff or representatives. Also clients have no idea what is written on their files by frustrated staff members: things are lost in translation it seems. At the end of the day an organization: the policies that govern that organization are only as good as the individuals that execute it. So, yes it boils down to people, and I'd like to believe there are still good people out there.

Collectively, there's power in numbers-networking to cultivate solutions. I believe if legal aid clients form a group(I'm not talking about these forums whereby negative reviews are written or anything provided by legal aid internally): perhaps a social media platform that can be utilized, whereby group members can voice their opinions, share their experiences, take proactive actions such as speaking to city counsels, representatives or connecting with other agencies collectively. Host periodic events and meetings. Is there a group like that?

I do not believe the answer should be limited to legal aid staff, some of whom from what I have experienced or has been expressed by other clients seem to take a nonchalant attitude of you pay for what you get or deserve-nothing!

Dylan H.

DO NOT I repeat DO NOT use Manitoba legal aid. It’s a bloody joke. Unless you’re going to jail and need it don’t do it. All the lawyers are a bunch of incompetent fools and the staff at legal aid DO NOT take your case seriously. If I could go back in time I would self represent and take my chances. You all should be ashamed of yourselves in scamming people.