A Regina-based lawyer says he hasn’t seen any evidence some attorneys are providing bad legal advice to residential school survivors.
A recent story by the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network indicates warnings have gone out to some lawyers telling them they might not be paid all their fees due to mistakes some are making on cases tied to the residential school settlement agreement.
The warning was reportedly sent to lawyers currently working on the Independent Assessment Process.
Tony Merchant of the Merchant Law Group says he thinks the problem may be connected with some lawyers who have arrived “late” to the compensation process, and who lack experience.
According to Merchant, “To some extent, lawyers who haven’t been doing I.A.P. work over the years don’t understand it as fully as many law firms.”
At the same time, Merchant says he’s not aware of any major problems.
Merchant estimates about half of those survivors who received the Common Experience Payment have a legitimate claim under the Independent Assessment Process, as well.