Legal Aid Plans of Canada celebrate duty counsel and their critical impact on access to justice

EDMONTON, AB, Oct. 27, 2026 /CNW/ — October 27 is Duty Counsel Day, a nationwide initiative led by Legal Aid Plans of Canada to recognize the essential role duty counsel lawyers play in helping people navigate the justice system and access legal support when they need it most.

Duty counsel lawyers provide free, on-the-spot legal advice and representation to individuals who appear in court without a private lawyer. They assist people with criminal, family and immigration matters, helping them understand their rights, make informed decisions and navigate complex legal processes when there is nobody else to help.

“Every day, duty counsel help Canadians navigate the justice system to understand what is happening and what their rights and options are,” said John Panusa, KC, chair of the Association of Legal Aid Plans of Canada.

“They help people navigate some of the most difficult moments in their lives. Their work protects individual rights, strengthens public confidence in our legal institutions and helps courts operate more effectively. The justice system works better for all Canadians because of duty counsel.”

Across Canada, duty counsel assist more than 1.7 million people each year in courthouses, by phone and through virtual services. They help individuals understand court procedures, resolve legal issues more effectively and move through the justice system with greater confidence and support.

Lighting up landmarks for justice, duty counsel in the classroom

As part of this year’s Duty Counsel Day campaign, iconic landmarks across the country will be lit up in red on Tuesday, Oct. 27 to commemorate Duty Counsel Day. The campaign also includes free classroom resources for teachers and a special webinar for law students interested in learning more about duty counsel careers and the important role they play in providing access to justice.

On Oct. 27, Legal Aid Plans of Canada invites Canadians to learn more about duty counsel and recognize the lawyers who provide vital legal assistance every day in communities across the country.

Learn more on the Duty Counsel Day website. Help raise awareness and spread the word: @DutyCounselDay #KnowDutyCounsel #DutyCounselDay. 

SOURCE The Association of Legal Aid Plans of Canada (ALAP)