Clients who are new to the court system or do not have a lawyer can get free support and information from the FLIC. Counsel can answer legal questions, provide summary legal advice and review legal documents. Types of people who have also received legal aid include: If you are financially qualified and have a legal problem that we cover, we will help you pay for a lawyer to represent you. You can apply for a legal aid certificate from Legal Aid Ontario (LAO). To qualify, you must prove that you cannot afford a lawyer and that your refugee claim has a chance of success. When you apply for legal aid, you should have as much information as possible about your legal case. If you apply over the phone, a representative may refer you to another LAO service, such as duty counsel, or they may refer you to a second representative if it is determined that you need to apply to the certificate program (in which case, LAO will pay a lawyer to represent you). If your legal representative files the claim on your behalf, they will need to create an account and you will both need to sign a declaration form. To be eligible for legal aid services such as duty counsel assistance (for criminal, family protection and child protection matters) and summary legal advice (toll-free by telephone), your gross annual family income as of April 1, 2020: Approximately 5,000 lawyers contribute to the legal aid program by accepting lower rates and limits on hours billed for the legal services they provide to clients LAO. If you need help finding a lawyer, a community legal clinic may be able to give you the names of some lawyers who work in refugee law.

You can also ask if the clinic knows any lawyers who speak your native language. For more information, see Community Legal Clinics. Although legal aid is most often available for more serious criminal cases, for example where there is a high probability that a person will go to prison, as well as for charges under the Juvenile Justice Act, it also covers many other legal issues. To apply for a legal aid certificate, you must prove that you meet LAO`s eligibility rules. This means that you have to show them that you have a low income. You will need to provide information about your income, property, and savings. You should also provide information about how many family members live in your home and how much money each person earns. For more information about legal aid, including the services available and the types of legal questions, visit the other sections of the Legal Line or visit the Legal Aid Ontario website. The size of the family unit determines who needs to be assessed in the context of the client`s application for legal aid. All allowances are measured by family size.

If LAO approves your application for a legal aid certificate, the certificate will be sent to you within one or two weeks. If you have provided all the necessary information and documents, you can receive the certificate earlier, even on the same day. If you have income or property, you may be eligible for a certificate with a contribution agreement. This means that you will have to reimburse LAO some or all of your legal fees depending on your income level. The centres offer assistance in completing documents as well as referrals to recruitment lawyers. Some centres offer full representation by a staff lawyer. If necessary, clients may be referred to a private lawyer who provides legal assistance. If you qualify for legal aid, you can use a lawyer of your choice. Of course, as mentioned earlier, you need to make sure that the lawyer you choose accepts legal aid cases.

You may want to talk to more than one lawyer to find someone you feel comfortable with. Once you have chosen a lawyer, it is unlikely that you will be allowed to change lawyers. Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) provides a wide range of legal aid to low-income people. LAO provides special family law services to people exposed to domestic violence, regardless of their immigration status. Eligibility for legal aid in Ontario is determined by provincial regulations. In the past, eligibility criteria were linked to provincial social benefits. The financial eligibility level was last changed in 1995, when changes were made to provincial social benefit rates. Financial eligibility is determined through a “needs test”. It takes into account the revenues, but also the expenses and liabilities of the applicants. Non-contributory legal aid is granted on the basis of an assessment of the maximum amounts, including basic aid, debt and housing assistance.

Applicants may obtain legal aid if they do not exceed the allowances. There is an “income exemption element” in the application determination process that “accelerates” applicants with very low incomes by valuing assets. The shortfall is not a minimum income, but a tool or measure to determine whether a more detailed assessment is needed. Most social assistance recipients are automatically entitled to free legal aid (provided that it does not go beyond the property test). It should be noted that Ontario also operates legal clinics. They operate under different rules, and their eligibility criteria and scope are also different. Community legal clinics were established in the early 1970s to provide legal services and public legal information, as well as community development, to low-income and disadvantaged individuals. The clinics cater to the unique legal needs of low-income people who need help with life`s most important things, such as livable income and safe housing, as well as access to the most basic social services such as children`s education. Clinics do not usually offer criminal and family law services. These are available from private lawyers who negotiate Legal Aid Ontario certificates. Eligible clients can get summary legal advice on their family law matter by calling LAO`s toll-free number: 1-800-668-8256.

This service is available Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you have a legal problem in Ontario but live outside the province or country, visit our Non-Resident Services page.