Getting Legal Aid

Legal Aid is available to low income individuals and disadvantaged communities for a variety of legal problems, including criminal matters, family disputes, immigration and refugee hearings and poverty law issues such as landlord/tenant disputes, disability support and family benefits payments.

Legal aid offers different kinds of services, depending on the client's needs. Legal aid is available through the certificate program, which entitles clients to receive advice and representation by private lawyers or by legal aid staff lawyers. To apply for a legal aid certificate, you must attend in person at a local legal aid office If you are eligible for legal aid, you can get a legal aid certificate that you can take to the lawyer of your choice. Legal assistance is also available through the community legal clinic program.

Every Ontario resident who needs legal assistance can apply. Eligibility for legal aid certificates is based on financial need and the type of case. The applicant may pay nothing or a portion of the cost of legal aid, depending on their financial situation.