ACTs Need to Act!
Donation protected
Authorized Court Transcriptionists (ACTs) are being “bullied” by Legal Aid and some counsel. An Ottawa lawyer is going to bring a motion before the Appeal Court in Toronto. There will be an attempt to argue he is not required to pay for copies of certified transcripts based on erroneous information received from Legal Aid and the Ministry of the Attorney General (MAG). He will maintain there is delay to his appeal process because he will not pay the regulated fee.
The fees for transcripts are regulated by the Province of Ontario. Legal Aid and/or MAG and/or counsel cannot dictate fee charges. The fees are regulated and must be adhered to.
Transcripts are our "products". It is not just about paper. We work for ourselves. It is a tough job!
Legal Aid dislikes the rate per page increase and is trying to implement cuts for financial gain on the backs of hardworking ACTs.
We are being "bullied" and we are tired of it. We need to raise the funds needed for a lawyer. Legal Aid will take this opportunity to fight hard. This is an important issue for all ACTs. They will not stop here.
ACTs are being “bullied” by MAG, LAO, and some counsel who wish to inflict a flawed interpretation of the fee schedule in order to obtain financial gain. There are other ACTs who charge for certified copies and receive payment promptly. The vast majority of lawyers dealt with have no problem paying invoices and take no issue with the fees charged.
We need everyone to chip in. We are trying to get the legwork done and to find a lawyer who will help us. It won't be such a financial hardship if everyone can donate. The money will be deposited into an account which will be held in trust by a lawyer. Any amounts raised in excess of the required fee will be held in trust for future legal fees for ACTs. If for some reason we do not obtain sufficient funds to proceed, your donation will be returned to you. If we are awarded costs - which we anticipate - your donation will also be returned. We will likely have some limited expenses incurred, such as travel to Toronto, consultation fees, and such.
There are many issues to this case: price fixing, unfair competition, forced compliance, improper procedures.
Please help. We are right. It is unfair. It is time to stop being "bullied". They are counting on us not having the finances for counsel. It is time to unite across this province. We are mad as hell and we're not going to take it anymore!
The fees for transcripts are regulated by the Province of Ontario. Legal Aid and/or MAG and/or counsel cannot dictate fee charges. The fees are regulated and must be adhered to.
Transcripts are our "products". It is not just about paper. We work for ourselves. It is a tough job!
Legal Aid dislikes the rate per page increase and is trying to implement cuts for financial gain on the backs of hardworking ACTs.
We are being "bullied" and we are tired of it. We need to raise the funds needed for a lawyer. Legal Aid will take this opportunity to fight hard. This is an important issue for all ACTs. They will not stop here.
ACTs are being “bullied” by MAG, LAO, and some counsel who wish to inflict a flawed interpretation of the fee schedule in order to obtain financial gain. There are other ACTs who charge for certified copies and receive payment promptly. The vast majority of lawyers dealt with have no problem paying invoices and take no issue with the fees charged.
We need everyone to chip in. We are trying to get the legwork done and to find a lawyer who will help us. It won't be such a financial hardship if everyone can donate. The money will be deposited into an account which will be held in trust by a lawyer. Any amounts raised in excess of the required fee will be held in trust for future legal fees for ACTs. If for some reason we do not obtain sufficient funds to proceed, your donation will be returned to you. If we are awarded costs - which we anticipate - your donation will also be returned. We will likely have some limited expenses incurred, such as travel to Toronto, consultation fees, and such.
There are many issues to this case: price fixing, unfair competition, forced compliance, improper procedures.
Please help. We are right. It is unfair. It is time to stop being "bullied". They are counting on us not having the finances for counsel. It is time to unite across this province. We are mad as hell and we're not going to take it anymore!
Organizer
Lynne Johnson
Organizer
Carleton Place, ON
