Last Wednesday, October 27th, the inaugural Duty Counsel Day was officially recognized. It was an important day that highlighted and celebrated the important work duty counsel lawyers, like Ghazi Jarrar from Legal Aid in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, perform every day – providing legal advice to those who can’t afford to retain a lawyer.

It was a memorable day with statements from Adrienne Clarkson, 26th Governor General of Canada, Chief Justice Richard Wagner, Supreme Court of Canada, Chief Judge Pamela Goulding, Provincial Court of Newfoundland Labrador and Board Chair Tim Chalker, Legal Aid Commission of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Thank you to everyone who attended the event and helped promote Duty Counsel Day over social media and made it a success. All members are encouraged to help raise awareness of Duty Counsel Day next October.