Canadians Need-Not Settle for Frustration of Legal Self-Representation

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - July 18, 2013) - With the average cost of a lawyer ringing up at more than $360 an hour, the cost of proper legal representation can be daunting for consumers and small businesses. This often leaves Canadians in a 'legal limbo' of either suffering the frustrations of self-representation or dropping the matter entirely.

For Canadians facing these legal challenges, DAS Canada, Canada's only specialty legal expense insurer, created DAS Day in Court - a national search for individuals and small businesses who have been left in 'legal limbo' to get their chance at justice. With only a few days left to apply (until midnight on July 19^th, 2013) DAS Day in Court is accepting applications online for Canadians to 'make their case.' Winners will be awarded with legal representation for their small claims matter.

Though the small claims court system is supportive of self-representation, there are still many subtleties that non lawyers could miss entirely.

"In every stage of a legal case, both action and inaction may have a serious impact on the case," says Jas Basra, Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of DAS Canada. "For example, procedural rules at all levels of the court system are often difficult for private individuals to navigate."

Advice: Basra's Top Five Self-Representation Frustrations:

1. Evidence is key: There are complex rules and procedures for presentation of evidence, even at the small claims court level. For example, self-representatives are often not aware what evidence may be admissible in court.
2. A case for case law: Many cases are won or lost based upon existing case law or precedent -rulings in relevant previous cases that are similar to yours. Without access to case law decisions (which all lawyers have) and the ability to interpret rulings, self-representatives could miss out on a major opportunity to positively resolve cases.
3. You may need an expert: In order to mount a successful case, you may require forensic accountants, accident reconstruction experts, actuaries, doctors, product liability experts etc. Having access to these experts and knowing when they are necessary in a case (based on cost analysis) is a great value added by lawyers.
4. Time + stress = frustration: Though the small claims court system tries to assist with all cases put before them, mounting an effective self-representation could be far more time consuming and stressful than self-representatives expect. If your time is money, the hours and stress of mounting a legal defence may add up to much more than the settlement you are seeking.
5. Know when to hold them, know when to fold them: As a self-representative in small claims court, you will likely have an emotional attachment to the case and the outcome. Hiring a lawyer enables a legal professional to make decisions based on fact, not emotion, and to draw on years of experience to strategically evaluate settlements so that you end up getting the best possible result.

"The expectation of fairness and access to justice is a quintessential Canadian quality," said Barbara Haynes, CEO of DAS Canada. "Canada currently ranks 9^th of 16 western region countries in access to civil justice.* It is a much bigger issue than we will be able to address through DAS Day In Court, but we believe that enabling even five Canadians to get their due process is a step in the right direction."

DAS Day In Court Details:

June 24, 2013 - July 19, 2013: Qualifying individuals or small business seeking access to justice may fill out an online application DASdayincourt.ca. All applications will remain confidential at this stage.

July 22 - August 16, 2013: DAS Day in Court panel reviews applications and selects winners.

August 19, 2013: Five Canadians will be awarded legal representation so that they may have their day in court.

About DAS Canada

DAS Legal Protection Insurance Company Limited (DAS Canada) is a subsidiary of DAS Group, the global leader in the ten billion dollar legal expense insurance market. DAS Group is based in Germany and is a subsidiary of ERGO, Munich Re's primary insurer in Europe and Asia. DAS Canada is committed to bringing a fresh, modern approach to the marketplace, combining a forward-thinking attitude with almost a century of expertise. A full-service specialist in legal expense insurance, DAS Canada offers access to affordable justice for individuals, groups and small and mid-sized businesses. Policies are available in all Canadian Provinces and Territories. For more information, please visit www.das.ca.

*According to the World Justice Project Report 2012-2013