OSC launches litigation assistance program

The OSC has launched a program to provide lawyers to respondents involved in enforcement proceedings who would otherwise be self-represented.

The Commission approved the Litigation Assistance Program following the successful completion of a one-year pilot project.

As part of the Program, volunteer counsel will provide legal services to self-represented respondents during the following stages of proceedings before the Commission: (i) pre-hearing conferences; (ii) settlement conferences and/or settlement hearing; (iii) sanctions and costs hearing and / or (iv) on an exceptional basis, motions.

Read: OSC moves to speed settlements

The volunteer counsel will be private practitioners entirely independent of the Commission.

The representation provided by volunteer counsel will follow a duty counsel model, with representation being limited to the four above-noted stages.

Subject to the availability of volunteer counsel, any interested self-represented respondent will be eligible to receive assistance under the Program.

Read: OSC seeks comment on review of capital-raising prospectus exemptions

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