The Office of the Children's Lawyer

The Office of the Children's Lawyer is a law office in the Ministry of the Attorney General which delivers programs in the administration of justice on behalf of children under the age of 18 with respect to their personal and property rights. Lawyers within the office represent children in various areas of law including child custody and access disputes, child protection proceedings, estate matters and civil litigation. Clinical investigators prepare reports for the court in custody/access proceedings and may assist lawyers who are representing children in such matters.

The origin of the Office of the Children's Lawyer in Ontario can be traced back to as early as 1826 when the Lord Chancellor of Upper Canada appointed a leading member of the legal Bar to be guardian ad litem of minors (persons under the age of 18 years) when they were being sued and to represent their interests in court.

The current Children's Lawyer is Clare E. Burns. Ms. Burns was appointed the Children's Lawyer for the province of Ontario in January 2003 and is responsible to the Attorney General for the delivery of legal services on behalf of children in proceedings before courts and tribunals in Ontario.

• More About What We Do
• How to Reach Us
• Report of the Children's Lawyer
• Intake Criteria for Custody/Access
• Guardianship of Property of Minor Children
• Empanelment Opportunities - Clinical
• Empanelment Opportunities - Legal

Forms

• Child Protection Order
• Custody/Access Order
• Intake Form for Custody/Access
• Referral Form (to be sent with Child Protection Order)

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This Web site has been created as a public service by the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General. Every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that the information presented is current and accurate. However, users of this site should verify the information before making decisions or acting upon it. The Ministry of the Attorney General does not provide legal advice to the public.