Remote Defence Access Application Form

Remote Defence Access

Remote Defence Access (RDA) is a service provided by some correctional facilities that allows legal representatives to access inmates remotely through video conferencing using Justice Video Network (JVN) units.

Only licensed legal representatives – specifically lawyers and paralegals in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario, or the law society of another jurisdiction (who are duly authorized to practice law in the Province of Ontario) are authorized to apply to participate in the RDA. Other staff or students working in a law firm are not authorized to apply.

Any right or permission granted to the applicant to participate in the RDA is subject to the terms and conditions set out below as well as any terms and conditions as may be established by Ontario from time to time. The applicant will be provided additional terms and conditions related to specific correctional facilities that the applicant is seeking to access once the applicant’s application for authorization is processed. By signing this application, the applicant agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions referred to herein.

Terms and Conditions for Use of Remote Defence Access

When used in this document, the following words or expressions have the following meanings:

"Applicant" means a legal representative – a lawyer or paralegal licensed and in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario or the law society of another jurisdiction (who are duly authorized to practice law in the Province of Ontario) – applying to participate in the RDA.
"Facility" means one of Ontario’s correctional institutions, and "Facilities" means more than one facility.
"Ontario" means His Majesty the King in right of Ontario.
"In-custody client" means an existing or prospective client of the applicant who is incarcerated at a facility.
"Remote Defence Access" or "RDA" is a service operated by the Government of Ontario that facilitates the applicant’s access to the Justice Video Network (JVN) to communicate remotely with their in-custody clients.
"Justice Video Network" or "JVN Virtual Connect" is the video conferencing infrastructure for the Ontario Justice Sector.

Behaviour and Conduct: Applicants and their accompanying staff are expected to act in a manner that is respectful and professional when interacting with staff. Discrimination, harassment, or abusive conduct will not be tolerated, nor will conduct that is deemed to be disruptive to the security, safety, or good order of the facility.
Authorized Use: Authorized usage of the RDA is limited to the applicant conducting private and privileged video conference meetings with in-custody clients to which access has been granted. Authorization is only for the applicant and does not extend to other legal representatives, students, or staff in the applicant’s law firm or with whom the applicant is associated. All legal representatives must be separately authorized to participate in the RDA.
Limits on Usage: The applicant may only use the RDA to conduct private, privileged video conference meetings, to interview, advise, and otherwise consult with any in-custody client at a facility. The RDA shall not be used for the purpose of relaying or conducting personal communications between the in-custody client and a third party (either directly or indirectly), nor any person other than the applicant and the applicant’s in-custody client participate in the RDA.
All communications between the applicant and the in-custody client are understood to be privileged. Notwithstanding, the applicant is advised that staff will visually monitor the interview for continued safety and/or security purposes.
Required Software: To make use of the RDA, the applicant’s computer must be equipped with an internet browser. RDA recommends the use of Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome and does not guarantee compatibility with other internet browsers such as Mozilla Firefox and Safari.
Compatible Computer Equipment and Software: It is the applicant’s responsibility to have a computer and operating system that is compatible with the video conferencing system. To participate in the RDA, the applicant will need a computer with an internet broadband connection. The applicant is responsible for arranging a connection and all equipment required to access the internet or enable communications such as headsets, microphones, and webcams. Ontario does not warrant the compatibility of the video conferencing system with the services of any internet service provider or any specific equipment. Specific features such as screen sharing and changing backgrounds are not available on mobile devices and require the use of a computer.
Coordination with Facility: All RDA video conferences must be pre-scheduled through a Scheduling Form. Only legal representatives who are approved and listed as an approved contact in the institutions scheduling system may schedule appointments. Hours of availability of the RDA shall be determined by the facility and may vary. The facility will make reasonable efforts to accommodate requests from authorized legal representatives to use the RDA to meet with their in-custody clients, subject to the facility’s operational and security constraints. In the event the facility cannot facilitate the use of the RDA, the applicant must arrange an alternate time for RDA or meet with their in-custody client in person at the facility.
Identification Process: At the commencement of every RDA video conference, the applicant shall identify themselves, to the satisfaction of staff, as a person authorized to participate in RDA. The applicant is required to present their Law Society of Ontario card, and/or valid government-issued photo identification that is not expired, containing a photo, date of birth and signature, satisfactory to staff. The RDA video conference appointment will not commence until proof of identity has been provided and accepted by staff.
Applicant’s Responsibility: The applicant will be provided with the unique web-links to enable remote video access to the applicant’s in-custody client. The applicant shall keep the RDA access links confidential. The applicant shall use the provided links only at the times scheduled for an RDA session. The applicant is solely responsible and liable for all activities conducted through the established video conferencing link, and for any misuse of the RDA resulting from the access gained through the provided web links. To prevent unauthorized use, the applicant shall not share the links with any third party or other person/entity. To ensure the privacy of the conversation between the applicant and the in-custody client, the applicant should only utilize computer hardware with the latest virus and spyware protections installed. The applicant is not permitted to access the RDA links from public computers. Unauthorized use is grounds for terminating the applicant’s participation in the RDA.
Failure to Attend: By booking an appointment through the RDA, legal representatives acknowledge their obligation to attend at the scheduled time. Failure to appear for a confirmed appointment without prior notice may be deemed a breach of professional responsibility and could result in suspension of access privileges to the RDA system. Repeated non-compliance may further impact eligibility for future remote consultations.
Termination of Authorization: If Ontario becomes aware that the applicant has failed to comply with any terms and conditions or misused RDA, Ontario may immediately, in its sole and absolute discretion, suspend or terminate the applicant’s authorization to use RDA. An RDA call will promptly be disconnected by facility staff when any non-compliance with the RDA Terms and Conditions outlined herein is identified. Ongoing compliance issues may result in a suspension or termination of access privileges to the RDA system without notice.
Network Maintenance: From time to time, Ontario may need to perform maintenance or upgrades to the JVN Virtual Connect video conferencing system, which may require Ontario to suspend or limit temporarily the applicant’s use of some or all of RDA.
No Quality Guarantee: Ontario does not guarantee that the JVN Virtual Connect video conferencing system will function without disruption, delay, or error.
No Compensation: The applicant, by participating in the RDA, acknowledges and assumes the risk that the JVN Virtual Connect video conferencing system may not function as intended, or that features may not be available from time to time. Ontario shall not be liable for any issues related to the operation of the JVN Virtual Connect video conferencing system. The applicant agrees that no compensation shall be payable by Ontario to the applicant or any other person for any reason, including, but not limited to, the JVN Virtual Connect video conferencing system being unavailable from time to time, or if the JVN Virtual Connect video conferencing system fails to perform as expected, or proves incompatible with the applicant’s computer equipment software or internet connection. For greater certainty, under no circumstances will compensation be paid should it be necessary or advisable to attend the facility in person rather than attempt to make use of the JVN Virtual Connect video conferencing system.

By proceeding, you confirm that you have read, understand, and agree to the Terms and Conditions associated with this application.(required)

Fields marked with an asterisk () are mandatory.

You are filling out a responsive form, where available options may change based on previous responses.

Applicant Details

Last Name(required)

First Name(required)

Law Society ID Number(required)

Phone Number(required)

(Format must be 10 digits)

Email Address(required)

(Example: name@example.com)

Confirm Email Address(required)

(Example: name@example.com)

Licence Type(required)

Which facility will you primarily schedule RDA calls with? This is for registration purposes only, and will not impact your ability to use the RDA service at other facilities.(required)

Self-Attestation Of Good Standing(required)

I, the "applicant", declare that I am in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario or the Law Society of another jurisdiction, and that I am duly authorized to practice law in the Province of Ontario at the time of this application. I acknowledge that the Ministry of the Solicitor General reserves the right to verify my standing with the relevant law society, including through audits and any false or misleading declaration may result in a suspension or termination of access.

Date (yyyy/mm/dd)

Summary

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Remote Defence Access Application Form