Help from Lawyers and Paralegals
Other Resources
Law Society Referral Service
The Law Society of Ontario provides a Lawyer/Paralegal Referral Service that connects clients with lawyers or paralegals in the required area of law and geographic location. Lawyers/Paralegals will provide a free 30-minute consultation session via telephone.
A crisis line is available Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m, and is intended for those unable to use the online service, such as those in custody, in a shelter, or in a remote community without access to the Internet. You can ask to be referred to a lawyer or paralegal who speaks languages other than English or French, or a lawyer who accepts legal aid certificates.
Crisis Line: 416-947-5255;
Toll-Free: 1-855-947-5255
http://www.lawsocietyreferralservice.ca
Justice Net
A reduced fee program for clients of limited means, based on a sliding scale that takes into account both income and number of individuals supported.
Areas of law include: Aboriginal Law; Alternative Dispute Resolution; Bankruptcy, Business Law Topics; Child Protection, Civil Litigation; Consumer Rights; Criminal Law; Employment Law; Estate Planning; Family Law; General Practice, Immigration; Real Estate; Tax; Landlord and Tenant.
http://www.justicenet.ca
Pro Bono Ontario
Brief services that include guide books on various civil law topics (including court rules and process), software to help complete court forms, and duty counsel lawyers who provide free legal advice.
At times lawyers may be able to represent people in court on that day. Law Help Ontario at Superior Court is located at 393 University Avenue, Suite 110, Toronto. Law Help Ontario at Small Claims Court is located at 47 Sheppard Avenue East, 3rd Floor, Toronto.
https://www.probonoontario.org
Legal Aid Ontario Specialty Clinics
Specialty clinics represent specific individuals from minority groups (e.g., seniors, Spanish-speaking people, workers, people living with HIV/AIDS), deal with specific area of law and service clients throughout Ontario.
Some clinics also specialize in areas of law for low-income clients who are marginalized for other reasons. These clinics are resources for other clinics, private bar lawyers, MPPs and community agencies.
https://www.legalaid.on.ca/en/contact/contact.asp?type=scl
Duty Counsel Offices
Legal Aid Ontario provides duty counsel services at the Newmarket Court House in the areas of Criminal and Family Law.
https://www.legalaid.on.ca/en/contact/contact.asp?type=dc
Family Law Information Centres (FLIC)
FLIC services are available in family courts across Ontario. At the FLIC you can find information about separation and divorce and related family law issues, family justice services, alternative forms of dispute resolution, local community resources and court processes.
Summary Advice Counsel and Information and Referral Coordinators (IRCs) are available at designated times to help you understand your needs and to make referrals to appropriate services. IRCs can give you information about family mediation and other ways to solve your issues without going to court.
https://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/family/infoctr.php
The Steps to Justice website has information about getting help from lawyers and paralegals.